I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a honorable combat military veteran. I’m nearing completion of my Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling with a specialization in Traumatology and have earned the following degrees: Master’s degree in Professional Counseling, Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations. I have a multitude of experience in community and clinic settings having engaged in therapeutic day treatment, intensive in-home, parenting aid, mentoring, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, and outpatient therapy services along with substance abuse treatment and counseling. My counseling philosophy focuses attention on your present and future. I focus on goal-oriented questioning to assist you in moving into a future-oriented direction to help reduce negative thinking and behaviors, increase motivation and resiliency, and become a healthier and happier human being. I take a holistic approach to counseling to help you with a healthy integration of the mind, body, and spirit. I have a unique multicultural approach to therapy due to my extensive travels around the world living in different cultures and understanding dynamic human experiences from various perspectives. I'm especially understanding and culturally sensitive to East Asian cultures. I'm very appreciative of East Asian cultures, beliefs and philosophies having lived in several East Asian countries. Many of my client’s successful therapy outcomes have been attributed to my dynamic and unique life experiences. I provide genuine warmth, honesty, empathy, support, and care to my clients. I’m known as a “skill-builder” and have a strong passion to motivate you and build resilience in your life. I look forward to working with you. I have completed the following certifications: Certified Prepare-Enrich Couples Program Facilitator, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and Certified Anger Management Treatment Professional (CSAM).
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session together will include a psychosocial assessment to determine your needs and goals, as well as a bit of history and patterns you have developed. My approach is an open dialogue in a safe environment. This first meeting is also a chance to get to know one another, my approach to counseling and learn about your motivation and goals and to answer any of your questions about therapy. I always end my sessions with feedback and a plan to move forward. Sometimes, I may assign a homework assignment that will not require much of your time but can be very beneficial to your treatment progress.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My past clients have told me that my seasoned, mature, and dynamic life experiences were a great asset to their therapy and successful treatment outcomes. I will always ask you how you think and feel about things, but I'm known more as a "skill-builder" and I focus of increasing your awareness and insight into your challenges and teaching you healthy coping skills/strategies to assist you to managing better or mitigating, reducing, and/or eliminating mental health challenges that you have been experiencing. My clients have also reported to me that my ability to help them challenge irrational thinking patterns and learning how to engage in positive and healthier thoughts was very beneficial to their therapy. Clients have appreciated and benefited from my military experience, multicultural approach, and extensive experience in the mental health field.
About Todd Gearheart
Todd Gearheart offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment approach that was originally developed to help children, adolescents, and their parents (or other caregivers) overcome trauma-related difficulties, including child maltreatment, but studies have shown that it also benefits adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It TF-CBT is inappropriate for some children or adolescents. These include kids experiencing severe suicidal ideation, psychosis, or self-harm behaviors. It is also not appropriate for people actively under the influence or struggling with a substance use disorder. I've utilized TF-CBT for adults with PTSD effectively for over 7 years. I'm also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications. CBT is often essential in therapy as you learn to challenge irrational thoughts that influence emotions and resulting behaviors. I've utilized this treatment method extensively for over a decade now with success.
Compassion Focused
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), or Compassion Mind Training (CMF), is the concept of incorporating compassion training techniques into psychotherapy to induce kinder thinking habits. 1. This type of therapy emphasizes the importance of compassion and self-compassion in interactions with the world and the self. This is a Buddhist-derived intervention (BDI) that is useful no matter what your religious affiliation or spiritual beliefs or non-spiritual beliefs as it is especially effective for Eating disorders, Hoarding, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Mixed diagnoses, Mood disorders, Personality disorders, and Anxiety disorders. I've utilized it in my practice over the last five years mainly to treat eating disorders and anxiety. I'm researching and working on developing a new modality (therapy) that utilizes a new form of CFT to treat PTSD.
Couples Counseling
I am a certified as a Prepare-Enrich Couples Program facilitator and provide couples therapy for couples preparing to engage in a significant relationship and/or for marriage and for couples wishing to enrich their relationship and/or marriage. This is a great foundational program that I've effectively utilized since 2015. I'm also proficient in utilizing the Gottman Method of Couples Counseling since 2015 as well. I'm known as a "skill builder" teaching and promoting healthy communication and behavior skills in relationships.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) incorporates mindfulness practices that include present moment awareness, meditation, and breathing exercises. This therapy was formulated to address depression, but is also very useful to treat a wide various physical and mental health conditions and improve overall daily functioning and quality of life. MBT has been shown to reduce negative mood states such as stress and anxiety, increase positive emotion, and improve attention, self-control, self-regulation, and metacognitive awareness. I'm a specialist in MBT and have utilized it effectively for over a decade. I've found it especially helpful for anxiety challenges.