Many people come to counseling feeling stuck in painful relationship patterns, carrying past hurts, or struggling with anxiety and uncertainty about how to move forward. I’m Tony Watkins, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges. My goal is to create a safe and welcoming space where you can talk honestly about what you’re facing and begin moving toward healing, stronger relationships, and greater clarity about the path ahead. I work with individuals, couples and families dealing with relationship conflict, emotional disconnection, anxiety, trauma, and patterns of behavior that may be affecting their well-being or their relationships. I also enjoy working with parents who want practical tools and guidance to strengthen their connection with their children. I have specialized training in working with individuals experiencing deep emotional pain, hopelessness, or thoughts of suicide, and I approach this work with care, collaboration, and a strong focus on helping people move toward safety, stability, and renewed hope. For clients who desire it, I’m comfortable integrating faith and spiritual perspectives into the counseling process. My heart is to provide a space where people can process pain, strengthen relationships, and experience both personal growth and spiritual renewal.
In your first session with Tony, you can expect a relaxed and welcoming conversation where you are free to share your story at your own pace. He will take time to listen carefully, understand what brought you to counseling, and begin learning about the changes you hope to see in your life or relationships. Some people feel unsure about telehealth at first and wonder if it might feel distant or impersonal. Most clients are surprised by how quickly the conversation begins to feel natural and connected, even through a screen. The first session is also an opportunity for you to see whether working together feels like a good fit. Starting therapy can be a bit like trying on a new pair of shoes—you may not know how they feel until you take a few steps. This first conversation gives you the chance to experience the process and decide whether this feels like the right place for you to continue your journey with Tony. Tony’s goal in that first meeting is for you to leave feeling heard, respected, and hopeful about the next steps forward.
What makes Tony’s approach stand out is the way he blends compassion, experience, and proven methods to create therapy that feels both safe and effective. With more than 25 years of experience, he draws from evidence-based models like EFT, EMDR, PCIT, Motivational Interviewing, and CAMS while tailoring each session to the unique needs of his clients. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Tony works collaboratively—helping clients uncover the roots of their struggles, build on their strengths, and move toward lasting change. His clients often share that they feel deeply understood, gain new hope, and experience real improvements in their relationships, resilience, and overall well-being.
Tony works with individuals, couples, and families who want to strengthen their relationships, work through past hurts, or find healthier ways to cope with life’s challenges. He often works with couples experiencing communication difficulties or emotional disconnection, individuals struggling with anxiety or painful life experiences, and parents seeking guidance and practical strategies to support their children and improve family relationships. Tony also works with people who feel stuck in patterns such as compulsive behaviors, pornography use affecting relationships, or alcohol use that has begun creating problems in their lives. His goal is to help clients understand these patterns and develop healthier ways to move forward.
Attachment-based
For over 13 years, Tony has been helping individuals and couples work through the effects of past hurts and relationship struggles using an attachment-based approach. He is trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a method that helps people understand their emotions and strengthen their closest relationships. Tony’s goal is to create a safe and supportive space where clients can heal from trauma, rebuild trust, and grow stronger connections with the people who matter most.
Collaborative Management and Assessment of Suicidality (CAMS)
Tony is certified in the CAMS approach (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) and has been using it for more than 15 years to support clients experiencing suicidal thoughts. CAMS is a collaborative method that puts the client at the center of the process, focusing on understanding the unique struggles that lead to suicidal feelings and building a personalized plan for safety, hope, and healing. With deep experience and compassion, Tony partners with clients to reduce their suffering and help them move toward stability, connection, and renewed purpose.
EMDR
Tony is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and has been using it for more than 5 years to help clients work through painful memories and trauma. EMDR is a well-researched approach that helps the brain process distressing experiences so they no longer carry the same emotional intensity. Tony integrates EMDR into therapy to reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories, relieve symptoms such as anxiety or flashbacks, and support lasting healing and resilience.
Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT)
Tony has been a certified PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Therapy) practitioner and trainer since 2009. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in working with families who have children between the ages of 2½ and 7. PCIT is a proven, evidence-based method that helps strengthen the bond between parents and children while teaching effective skills for managing behavior. In addition to using PCIT directly with families in therapy, Tony also trains other professionals in this model, ensuring more children and parents benefit from this powerful approach.
Motivational Interviewing
Tony has extensive experience using Motivational Interviewing (MI), a collaborative and client-centered approach that helps people explore their own reasons for change. He has used MI with clients across many different concerns, creating a supportive space where individuals feel heard and respected as they consider their goals. MI is especially effective in the treatment of substance misuse, and Tony draws on this method to help clients strengthen motivation, reduce ambivalence, and take practical steps toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.