New to Grow
Hi I'm Berekat Petros, a licensed mental health counselor. I've been a practicing therapist for over 12 years in various settings, working with a diverse client population. I love the therapy experience and watching my clients get better through our work together. I have been fortunate thus far in my career to have worked with hundreds of clients, and have enjoyed the privilege of helping them. I have strong academic foundation in evidenced based treatment methodologies, and to that I add lessons learned from my own life experiences as a husband, a dad and a friend.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
The first session will be the 'getting to know each other' session. It will be low stress, I'll first go through some housekeeping items and explain the process of therapy and rules we have to follow to make it all work well. After that I'll ask questions to understand what led you to seek therapy, and a little bit about your background to understand your context. You will also get an opportunity to ask me questions about the therapy process. Using the information we gather during that session will plan out the rest of our journey together.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strength as a therapist is my genuine care and concern for my clients. I approach each client as an individual that needs my full attention and care. I believe this authenticity comes out in all that I do during our therapy sessions and my clients are able to feel comfortable to express their thoughts and feelings.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I have experience working in various work environments ranging from institutions that provide care for our most vulnerable community members with severe mental illnesses, to the well functioning clients who happen to be going through a difficult season in life. I have strong track record helping my clients overcome symptoms of anxiety, depression, low self esteem, adjustment to change, grief, and post traumatic stress disorder.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
As an experienced therapist, I use CBT to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact. I work collaboratively to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and examine them with curiosity rather than judgment. Through guided questioning, I help clients evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of their thoughts and develop more balanced perspectives.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use person-centered therapy by creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel deeply heard and accepted. I focus on offering empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, trusting in the client’s natural capacity for growth and self-understanding. Rather than directing or interpreting, I listen closely and reflect clients’ feelings and experiences to help them gain clarity and connect with their own inner wisdom. My role is to be fully present and authentic, supporting clients as they explore their emotions, strengthen self-trust, and move toward change at their own pace.