At Socratic Wellness, I provide integrative therapy grounded in collaboration, curiosity, and practical growth. I specialize in working with veterans, first responders, and individuals looking to improve communication skills, manage trauma, or navigate life transitions. My approach is client-centered and adaptable, drawing from a range of evidence-based modalities to meet you where you are. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify values and take meaningful action, even in the presence of difficult thoughts and emotions. EMDR is available for processing trauma and building nervous system resilience. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing to explore patterns, support behavior change, and strengthen internal motivation. My style is warm, respectful, and engaged. I often use Socratic questioning to encourage insight and deeper self-understanding, and I draw from existential perspectives to explore identity, purpose, and meaning — especially during times of uncertainty or change. I take an eclectic approach, customizing therapy based on your goals, needs, and strengths. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself or others, therapy can be a place to sort through what’s getting in the way and reconnect with what matters most. You don’t need to show up with answers — just a willingness to explore. Together, we’ll build a space that supports reflection, healing, and forward movement at your own pace.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session, the goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you can begin to share your story at your own pace. This session isn’t about rushing into treatment — it’s about getting to know you, setting the tone for how you'd like therapy to feel, and beginning to build a strong foundation for the work ahead. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from it. I’ll ask about key areas of your life — relationships, work, stressors, past experiences, and emotional patterns — to start understanding the context around your current challenges. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as feels right in the moment. A big part of this session is collaborative — we’ll explore how you want therapy to go. Do you prefer a more structured or open-ended approach? Are you looking for tools, insight, support, or a combination? Your voice is central to shaping our work together. We’ll also begin identifying goals, even if they’re still a little unclear. Whether you’re navigating stress, trauma, communication struggles, or simply feeling stuck, we’ll begin naming what matters most to you. You’ll have space to ask questions about my therapy style, the modalities I use, and what the process might look like moving forward. My intention is to offer transparency and make sure you feel informed and comfortable. By the end of our session, we’ll check in about how it felt and, if it’s a good fit, we’ll plan next steps. Starting therapy can feel vulnerable — my role is to meet you with respect, presence, and curiosity, right from the start.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

What makes me unique as a therapist is my ability to blend a warm, client-centered approach with evidence-based modalities to meet your individual needs. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy; instead, I draw from a diverse range of tools, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This flexibility allows me to tailor our work together based on your personal preferences and goals. I take a Socratic approach to therapy, which means I’ll ask thought-provoking questions to help you explore your values, beliefs, and the choices that may be holding you back. This technique fosters deeper self-awareness and insight, empowering you to find your own answers while supporting your growth. I also incorporate existential perspectives to help you examine your sense of meaning and purpose, particularly during times of transition or crisis. What truly sets me apart is my focus on the specific challenges faced by veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers. I deeply understand the emotional weight of these roles and provide a nonjudgmental space for processing trauma, burnout, and moral injury. Additionally, I specialize in helping professionals navigate career transitions and improve family dynamics, with an emphasis on strengthening communication and emotional resilience. Ultimately, my unique blend of therapeutic tools, my empathetic approach, and my focus on real-world challenges ensure that therapy is not just about talking, but about making meaningful, sustainable changes that improve your life.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I specialize in working with clients who are deeply committed to others—often in high-stress, high-responsibility roles—but are struggling to care for themselves. I support first responders, veterans, and healthcare professionals who are carrying the invisible weight of trauma, burnout, and moral injury. These clients often need a space where they don’t have to explain the realities of their work, and where their emotional responses are met with understanding, not judgment. I also work with professionals navigating life transitions, career shifts, or questions about identity and purpose. Many of my clients are successful on the outside but feel stuck, unfulfilled, or disconnected internally. They may be facing relationship strain, anxiety, or a persistent sense that something important is missing or misaligned. Family dynamics are a frequent focus in my work. I help clients improve communication, set boundaries, and navigate the emotional complexity of caregiving, parenting, or breaking out of generational patterns. Whether you’re struggling with conflict, emotional distance, or identity within your family system, therapy can provide the space to gain clarity and make intentional changes. I tailor therapy to fit each person’s needs using an integrative approach that draws from ACT, EMDR, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and client-centered techniques. My style is collaborative, respectful, and grounded in curiosity. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting—just a willingness to explore what’s getting in the way of the life you want.

About Ryan Mathis