Biography

As a clinician, Dr. Pat takes a collaborative, human approach to therapy. He specializes in working with couples and families to improve communication, resolve conflict, increase warmth, and foster authenticity. His clinical experience has included working with diverse families and individuals (e.g., adoptive, foster, blended families, LGBTQIA+, immigrants and refugees, youth and older adults) to address varying levels of severity, complexity, and comorbidity, including trauma and PTSD, bipolar disorders, homelessness, domestic abuse and intimate partner violence, discernment and separation counseling, parenting and co-parenting, sex and intimacy, ethical non-monogamy, and infidelity.

Dr. Pat’s therapy approach stems from post-modernist and feminist perspectives with foundations in experiential and family systems theory. There are a lot of fancy words to describe his “theory of change,” and he will elaborate if asked; but, what he really thinks is important for a potential client to know is that he will see them as a whole person. Dr. Pat views clients as the experts of their own lives. Sometimes Dr. Pat is a translator, sometimes a brainstormer, and sometimes simply a person with his own flaws who has no room or desire to judge others for theirs. He proposes that the role of a therapist is to “create a safe space to think, feel, and grow.” He may not always have answers, but he will help his clients figure out what the right questions are, and he will walk along the path of life with them for as long as they choose.

Dr. Pat prides himself in being a therapist who has won over clients who thought they could not work with a male therapist or a cis-male therapist or a therapist in general. He has a lot of respect for those willing to give therapy a try even when they haven’t always had good experiences or have doubts about counseling. He knows it takes a lot of courage to pick up the phone and take a chance on sharing private thoughts with a stranger.

He will be honored to work with you if you choose, and he will gladly tell you more about himself if you ask.