Rob Pompa
I’m Rob Pompa, an LCSW and the owner of Pozitive Approach Counseling & Consultation Services. I work with LGBTQIA+ clients, especially men who identify as gay, queer, bisexual, or questioning, as well as people living with HIV (PLHIV), regardless of gender.
You are more than what you've been through.
I also work with people navigating chronic illness, cancer survivorship, trauma, grief, aging, relationships, sexuality, identity, and major life transitions.
First session
First sessions can feel a little wonky, so we're not going to put a lot of pressure on getting everything right. There may be some crossing of T's and dotting of I's, especially when insurance is involved, but mostly our first meeting is about getting acquainted, understanding what brings you here, and beginning where you are. That's basic social work to me: start with the person in front of you, not with some idea of where they "should" be. My approach is trauma-informed, which means paying attention to your comfort, sense of safety, and readiness. You don't have to tell me everything at once, find the perfect words, or push beyond what feels manageable just to make the session productive. We'll begin building trust, exploring what matters most to you, and identifying what you'd like to be different in your life. You can ask questions, share concerns, and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There's no script you need to follow. We start where you are and figure out the next steps together.
Strengths
I bring warmth, honesty, curiosity, and a strong ability to see the whole person, not just the diagnosis or presenting problem. I tend to notice patterns, connect the dots, and help people make sense of experiences that may have felt confusing or disconnected. I also bring lived experience, years of clinical work, and a deep respect for resilience without romanticizing what people have had to survive. I can be direct when needed, gentle when needed, and I try to create a space where people can be fully human without feeling judged, rushed, or reduced to a label. More than anything, I bring presence. I am willing to sit with complexity, help find a path forward, and walk alongside someone while they figure out what they want their life to become.
Ideal clients
You may be navigating a major life change, adjusting to a diagnosis, grieving a loss, questioning who you are, or simply feeling that life no longer fits the way it once did. Whatever brings you here, you don't need to have everything figured out before we begin. I especially welcome LGBTQIA+ clients, particularly gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning men, as well as people living with HIV, regardless of gender. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been living with HIV for decades, I understand that aging, stigma, disclosure, relationships, medical care, and questions about the future can bring unique challenges. I also work with adults navigating chronic illness, cancer survivorship, trauma, grief, loneliness, sexuality, and other life transitions. You don't need to identify with any particular community to feel welcome here. My ideal client isn't someone who has all the answers. It's someone who's willing to explore the questions, recognize patterns, and work toward a life that feels more authentic, connected, and manageable.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT flexibly to help clients notice connections among thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and the situations happening around them. We may look at patterns that keep repeating, question beliefs that no longer fit, experiment with different responses, or develop practical strategies for problems happening right now. I tend to use CBT as a tool rather than a rigid formula, adapting it to the person in front of me.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I draw from DBT when clients need practical ways to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, communicate more effectively, or respond differently when they feel overwhelmed. We may work with mindfulness, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, or grounding skills. I use these tools selectively and collaboratively rather than expecting every client to follow a formal DBT program.
EMDR
I have completed training in EMDR and incorporate EMDR-informed principles into my trauma-informed approach. This may include exploring patterns, triggers, developing internal resources, and understanding how past experiences influence the present. I prioritize safety, readiness, and collaboration in determining which approaches are appropriate. Formal EMDR reprocessing is not currently part of my routine practice.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I use mindfulness to help clients slow things down enough to notice what is happening internally without immediately reacting to it. This may include noticing thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, urges, or patterns and developing greater choice in how to respond.
Motivational Interviewing
I use motivational interviewing when clients feel uncertain, conflicted, or stuck around change. Rather than telling someone what they should do, I help them explore what matters to them, what may be getting in the way, and what kind of change feels possible and meaningful.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Licensed in
- PennsylvaniaLicense CW017334