Rickey Bates
Rickey Bates
(he/him)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience as a psychotherapist, complemented by my background as a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. My clinical training includes a Master’s in Social Work with a focus on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, which informs my understanding of how diverse life experiences shape individuals’ perspectives and interactions with their environments. This foundation allows me to approach therapy with cultural humility and a deep appreciation for the complexities of identity and systemic influences. In my practice, I utilize a person-centered, solution-focused approach that prioritizes client autonomy and self-determination. I collaborate closely with clients to identify their unique challenges and barriers, empowering them to develop realistic and meaningful short-term and long-term goals. Together, we explore and optimize the therapeutic tools that clients have already been using, while considering the introduction of additional strategies when appropriate. My goal is to support clients in creating actionable plans that align with their values and aspirations, fostering resilience and sustainable growth in both their present lives and future endeavors.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, we’ll begin with a brief introduction where I will share information about my background, therapeutic approach, and the framework I use in treatment. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any initial questions you may have about the therapy process, confidentiality, or logistics. Establishing this mutual understanding early on helps create a safe and collaborative therapeutic environment. Following introductions, we will focus on exploring the specific challenges and reasons that have brought you to therapy. This is a comprehensive but client-centered conversation where I invite you to share your experiences, feelings, and the difficulties you are currently facing. I will ask clarifying questions to better understand the context, frequency, and severity of your concerns, as well as how these challenges impact various aspects of your life such as relationships, work, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. This initial assessment allows me to gather relevant information to inform a personalized treatment plan. I aim to understand not only the symptoms or problems you want to address but also your strengths, coping strategies, and resources. Together, we will identify measurable goals that are meaningful and attainable, setting a clear direction for therapy. The collaborative goal-setting process empowers you to take an active role in your healing and growth. Once we have established your presenting concerns and goals, we will discuss potential interventions and therapeutic approaches that align with your preferences, needs, and clinical indications. I utilize evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR (in-person), and others depending on your specific situation. I will explain how these modalities work and how they can help you achieve your goals. This transparency helps demystify therapy and enhances your comfort and engagement in the process. The development of a treatment plan is a key part of the first session. This plan serves as a roadmap that guides our work together, including the frequency of sessions, anticipated length of treatment, and any homework or skills practice that may support your progress outside of sessions. Treatment plans are flexible and will be regularly reviewed and adjusted based on your evolving needs and progress. Confidentiality and boundaries are also reviewed during this session.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Throughout my clinical career, I have developed a range of skills and qualities that I consider to be my greatest strengths as a therapist. These strengths allow me to provide effective, culturally responsive, and compassionate care that meets clients where they are and supports their growth. Rooted in both my professional training and lived experience, these attributes guide my therapeutic work and inform how I build relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds. 1. Cultural Competence and Intersectional Awareness One of my foremost strengths is my deep understanding of cultural competence and intersectionality. With a Master’s degree emphasizing Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, I recognize how overlapping identities—such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status—shape an individual’s experiences and mental health. I am committed to creating an inclusive therapeutic environment that honors these complex identities. This commitment enhances my ability to work effectively with clients from marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, and military veterans. By acknowledging systemic factors and social determinants of health, I help clients contextualize their struggles within broader societal frameworks, reducing shame and promoting empowerment. 2. Veteran and Military Experience As a retired veteran of the United States Army, I bring a unique insider perspective to working with military personnel and veterans. This lived experience enriches my understanding of military culture, the challenges of deployment, reintegration, and service-related trauma such as PTSD and moral injury. It enables me to build rapport quickly and establish trust with clients who share this background. My military service informs a disciplined, respectful approach to treatment that values structure while remaining flexible to individual needs. I am deeply committed to serving all branches of the U.S. military community with culturally competent, trauma-informed care that honors their sacrifices and unique challenges. 3. Evidence-Based, Integrative Clinical Approach I am highly skilled in a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR, in-person), and the Gottman Method for couples therapy. This integra
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am uniquely positioned to serve clients from diverse and often marginalized backgrounds, with particular expertise in working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), military service members and veterans, and LGBTQIA+ populations. My clinical approach is informed by over a decade of experience, my Master’s training in Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, and my lived experience as a retired U.S. Army veteran. These combined perspectives allow me to engage with clients in a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based manner. BIPOC Men’s Issues I understand the complex ways systemic racism, historical trauma, and cultural expectations impact the mental health of BIPOC men. Many face unique barriers to emotional expression and help-seeking due to societal pressures around masculinity and cultural norms. Using a framework grounded in intersectionality, I create a safe space for clients to explore racialized trauma and identity challenges, while fostering resilience and authentic self-expression. I help clients develop adaptive coping strategies that respect their cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. Military Service Members and Veterans As a retired member of the U.S. Army, I bring an insider’s understanding of military culture and the challenges related to deployment, combat trauma, moral injury, and reintegration into civilian life. My experience allows me to build rapport quickly and provide culturally competent care that respects military identity while addressing mental health and relational concerns. I utilize evidence-based trauma treatments such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR (in-person), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailored to the unique needs of military clients and their families. LGBTQIA+ Populations My work with LGBTQIA+ clients is grounded in affirming and trauma-informed care that acknowledges the impact of minority stress, discrimination, and identity-based trauma. I provide a validating environment where clients can explore their identities and challenges safely. I address concerns related to anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship dynamics, and gender affirmation, with an emphasis on empowerment and client autonomy. I also attend closely to intersecting identities, ensuring culturally sensitive and individualized treatment. Clinical Approach Across all populations, I employ an integrative, evidence-based approach, including CBT, DBT, CPT, Emotionally Focused Therapy,
About Rickey Bates
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Over the past 10 years, I have consistently integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into my clinical practice across a range of settings and presenting issues. I find CBT to be an empirically supported, structured, and goal-oriented approach that facilitates measurable change. Its emphasis on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors allows clients to gain insight into maladaptive patterns and develop more adaptive coping strategies. I have used CBT effectively with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety disorders, trauma-related symptoms, and relational stressors. By utilizing evidence-based interventions such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, and exposure techniques, I support clients in building psychological flexibility and reducing symptom distress. What I find particularly beneficial about CBT is its collaborative and transparent nature, which empowers clients to become active participants in their own healing process. The use of thought records, behavioral experiments, and psychoeducation helps clients externalize and challenge cognitive distortions while fostering resilience and emotional regulation. CBT’s structured format also provides a reliable framework for treatment planning, progress tracking, and outcome measurement. I’ve found that when clients internalize CBT principles, they are more likely to maintain gains and apply skills independently beyond the therapeutic setting. Overall, my experience with CBT has reinforced its value as a versatile and impactful modality for promoting sustainable mental health outcomes.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
With a decade of experience utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I have found it to be an exceptionally effective modality, particularly for clients struggling with emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties. Rooted in both cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based principles, DBT offers a structured and skills-focused approach that balances acceptance and change. I have applied DBT across diverse populations, including individuals with borderline personality disorder, mood disorders, trauma histories, and self-harming behaviors. Through the core skills of mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness, clients gain tangible tools to navigate overwhelming emotions and build more stable relationships. What I find most beneficial about DBT is its emphasis on validation, nonjudgmental awareness, and behavioral change, which fosters both safety and empowerment in the therapeutic relationship. The dialectical stance—holding opposing truths and working toward synthesis—has been particularly helpful in addressing client ambivalence and promoting psychological flexibility. I’ve seen clients make significant progress when they consistently engage with DBT tools such as chain analysis, skills coaching, and diary cards. The structured nature of DBT also allows for clear goal setting and measurable outcomes, while still making room for the complexity of clients’ lived experiences. My long-standing use of DBT has demonstrated its value in helping clients build a life worth living, especially when traditional modalities have fallen short.
Gottman method
Over the past 10 years, I have incorporated the Gottman Method into my work with couples to address relational distress, communication breakdowns, and emotional disconnection. Grounded in decades of empirical research, the Gottman Method offers a structured, evidence-based framework that helps couples enhance emotional intimacy, manage conflict constructively, and build lasting relational stability. I have found the method particularly effective in guiding couples through challenges such as trust ruptures, chronic arguing, and emotional withdrawal. By using interventions like the Sound Relationship House, Love Maps, and stress-reducing conversations, I help couples develop a deeper understanding of each other and restore the emotional foundation of their relationship. What I find especially valuable about the Gottman Method is its emphasis on relational attunement and its clear, practical tools for emotional repair. Couples often feel empowered by the concrete strategies it offers for improving communication, increasing fondness and admiration, and reducing the impact of the Four Horsemen—criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. I have witnessed significant growth in couples who learn to shift from reactive patterns to intentional, emotionally intelligent responses. The method also supports long-term change by helping couples build rituals of connection and shared meaning. My experience with the Gottman Method has reinforced its effectiveness in not only resolving current relational challenges but also in promoting resilience and emotional security in the relationship over time.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Over the past 10 years, I have utilized Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) as a primary intervention in the treatment of trauma-related disorders, particularly PTSD. Rooted in cognitive-behavioral theory and supported by extensive empirical evidence, CPT provides a structured yet flexible framework to help clients understand and reframe the maladaptive beliefs that often develop in the aftermath of trauma. I have found CPT to be particularly effective in addressing themes of safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy—areas frequently disrupted by traumatic experiences. Through the use of Socratic questioning, impact statements, and cognitive restructuring techniques, clients are guided to examine and challenge "stuck points" that contribute to ongoing distress and impaired functioning. What I find especially beneficial about CPT is its capacity to empower clients by restoring a sense of agency and coherence in their trauma narratives. The emphasis on shifting from avoidance to engagement with trauma-related thoughts allows for deep cognitive and emotional integration, leading to symptom reduction and improved quality of life. I have seen clients who were previously debilitated by hypervigilance, intrusive memories, and emotional numbing begin to reengage with relationships, careers, and their sense of identity. CPT's structured, time-limited format also supports treatment planning and outcome measurement, making it highly adaptable to both individual and group settings. My experience with CPT has continually reaffirmed its value as a gold-standard treatment for trauma, and I remain committed to its ongoing application in my clinical work with veterans, survivors of interpersonal violence, and other populations impacted by trauma.
EMDR
Over the years, I have incorporated Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) into my trauma-focused clinical work, particularly in treating individuals with histories of complex trauma, PTSD, and distressing life events. EMDR’s adaptive information processing model allows clients to reprocess traumatic memories in a way that reduces emotional intensity and cognitive distortion, helping them move toward more adaptive and integrated beliefs about themselves and the world. I have found EMDR to be a powerful modality that promotes deep, lasting healing by targeting both the physiological and cognitive aspects of trauma. In my practice, EMDR is most effective when delivered in-person, where I can ensure a safe, grounded, and attuned therapeutic environment that supports bilateral stimulation and regulation throughout the session. While I recognize that EMDR can be adapted for virtual settings, I have found remote delivery to be clinically challenging and less optimal for maintaining the containment and emotional safety required during trauma processing. In-person sessions allow me to more accurately monitor somatic cues, manage dissociative responses, and offer immediate grounding interventions when needed. Given the intensity and vulnerability of EMDR work, I believe that the therapeutic presence and physical space of in-person treatment enhances both the effectiveness and emotional security of the process. As such, I offer EMDR exclusively in-person to uphold the highest standard of care and ensure that clients are fully supported through each phase of their trauma work.