That tightness in your chest, laying awake in your bed at night thinking about all the things your “should have” done, pacing the room, the worry if “am I good enough,” worrying if you forgot something, constantly thinking people are thinking negative things about you—these are not healthy thoughts and they most likely did not happen overnight. The goal for all my clients is to help alleviate these symptoms by connecting in a genuine and real way so that you feel heard, valued, and comfortable enough to address the root cause of these symptoms. It’s okay if you don’t know why they started either, we will figure it out together.

I have the belief that people have the ability within themselves to recognize dysfunctional patterns in their lives and with a little help, become able to set attainable goals to change those patterns into something more functional for their lives. I believe that motivation to change is a key component in what makes counseling successful for most people. My goal is to provide a safe, welcoming environment for you to help you meet your goals. My hope is that you will be better able to deal with the issues giving you trouble and to help you learn more about yourself and your behavior.

Deciding to take those initial first steps toward seeking help through psychotherapy can be challenging. Some initial concerns may include, "How will I know if the therapist is competent?" "What if they judge me?" "Will I feel comfortable telling them what I am really feeling and thinking?" These concerns are extremely common in trying to find the right therapist for you. The key phrase is "the right therapist for YOU..." Everyone is different with different needs. I encourage you to read about my experience and the services I provide in to see if I may be the right therapist for you.

Are you finding yourself stuck, lost, unmotivated, or worried about your future? Are you struggling to reach your adolescent and guide them in a positive direction? Many have been there and you don’t have to go through it alone. I believe everyone has a journey that has led them to where they are today. Through understanding your own (or your child’s) journey, we will work together to develop new skills, behaviors, and beliefs that will lead to a healthy, productive, and meaningful life.

There are times when we feel anxious, sad or uncertain. We often push or run away from the unwanted feelings and thoughts. We have developed certain coping and habit patterns to survive that no longer serve us. We are ready for change. In a safe, non-judgmental environment we will explore what you are wanting in your life and what patterns may keep you from having it and the sense of personal freedom and well-being you may seek. Our goal will be for you to increase a sense of self-awareness, and have the courage to let go of unhealthy thoughts, feelings and behaviors, while cultivating and allowing more strength, ease and joy.

Parenting consultations about adolescents and public talks to parent and other groups. Since January 2009, my weekly blog for Psychology Today: SURVIVING (YOUR CHILD'S) ADOLESCENCE, has received over 5 million reads. I have written 15 parenting books. The most recent are: SURVIVING YOUR CHILD'S ADOLESCENCE (Wiley, 2013), BOOMERANG KIDS (Sourcebooks, 2011), WHY GOOD KIDS ACT CRUEL (Sourcebooks, 2010), KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL STEPFATHERING (Barron's Educational series, 2010, second edition), STOP THE SCREAMING (Palgrave Macmillan,2009), THE FUTURE OF YOUR ONLY CHILD (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008), THE CONNECTED FATHER (Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.) A complete list of my books: see my website: www.carlpickhardt.com

I enjoy working with adult individuals and couples and have extensive experience working with moms who are struggling with the demands of parenthood. I work especially well with those who are seeking counseling to address issues such as anxiety, panic, self-doubt, depression, grief, life transitions, divorce, fertility issues, parenting challenges, stress management, health issues, relationship problems, and family conflict.

For help with alleviating anxiety and depression, promoting personal growth and increasing your well-being, I incorporate cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness and family systems approaches. I offer a support/challenge style to encourage self-exploration of your present life and past history in order to overcome emotional pain and trauma, develop self-acceptance, and increase empowerment in your life. Practicing internal kindness, communication skills and mindfulness techniques are a focus of my counseling sessions because I believe they have a positive impact on your self-worth and relationships. I enjoy working with women and men, as well as couples and groups.

I will work collaboratively with you to help identify both adaptive and maladaptive patterns present in your relationship with yourself, others, and the world. I enjoy using a variety of therapeutic tools, but I find the most effective to be an authentic, strong, and egalitarian therapeutic alliance. I will meet you where you are on your journey and we will work closely together to take steps towards healing.

Sexual struggles are more common than you think. If you are looking for a safe, comfortable and confidential environment, you are in the right place. I’ll put you at ease and you’ll find that working with me is a warm, comforting experience. Some of my areas of expertise are sexual pain, open/poly lifestyles, recovering from an affair, revitalizing sexual relationships, low libido, orgasm difficulties, sexual satisfaction and “porn/sex addiction”. I also welcome the LGBTQ+ and kink communities. Sexual vitality and pleasure are essential parts of being alive. Let’s add more play, joy and excitement to your life!

When Life feels overwhelming or unsettling, we often need someone who can consider our situation with more objectivity than we possess. I have been a psychologist for over 20 years and believe in the power of therapy to (1) help us navigate challenging times and (2) learn new strategies that help us reach our potential. I begin every first session with the same opening: "Tell me why you're here and how I could help." Then I ask the clients to tell me their stories. I love listening to people's stories because our stories remind us of where we have been and give us a context for the current and future chapters of our lives.

My focus is on adult mental health, addiction, and adults experiencing life transitions. I utilize a person-centered approach, based on each individual’s needs and goals, to guide our sessions. Approaches may include modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and others. I also have extensive experience working with family members whose loved ones are experiencing mental illness or addiction. I believe one of the most important things we can do to support a loved one with these needs is to educate ourselves and obtain the necessary supports.

Often the individuals that contact me are in recovery for addiction or have a family member that struggles with some form of addiction. Commonly, they are looking for relief from the distress that is occurring in their lives. Some feel anxious or frustrated; others feel trapped by old patterns or destructive behaviors.

I take an active and down-to-earth approach to helping people explore new ways of managing their emotions and relating to others. I enjoy helping clients slow down and connect to their emotions and inner resources through mindful tracking and self-compassion. I've had over a decade experience helping clients develop emotional resilience, the ability to remain grounded in the face of strong feelings rather than becoming anxious or depressed. I draw on my 15+ years experience with daily mindfulness practice, which has deepened my ability to connect compassionately to my clients and their experience.

As a therapist, I use a holistic, person-centered, integrative, collaborative approach to help individuals face challenges, recognize their unique strengths, and meet their goals. I prioritize building a relationship with each client based on trust and safety. I honor and validate my clients’ lived experiences and encourage my clients to approach pain with curiosity and compassion, empowering them to find pathways to wellness as they define it.

I work with individuals and families who are struggling with difficult issues such as depression, divorce, or mental illness. Conflicts, within and between people, lie at the core of emotional distress. Divorce, depression, substance abuse make setting healthy boundaries difficult, and before the individual knows it, he or she is living in a state of compromise. I focus on people who are wanting to get out of a compromised state and build healthy relationships that protect personal space and are conducive to reciprocity.

I love working with couples because so much change is possible. I will work with you to identify and work through the painful and stuck places in your relationship, and will support you in creating a different experience of one another that honors each partner. You will find my style direct, yet compassionate; challenging, yet supportive. The change I aim for is not a superficial one, but one that transforms the relationship. If you have reached an impasse in your relationship or are looking to enhance your relationship by more deeply understanding and transforming your entrenched relational patterns, then we will be a good fit.

I specialize in working with children and adolescents. I am continuously impressed by my clients' resiliency and the hard job of being a parent. I utilize a variety of empirically-supported therapeutic approaches in order to help facilitate long-lasting change. I find the relationship with my clients to be a crucial part of the healing process, and I work with compassion, empathy, and authenticity to help guide families through life's challenges.

"Why is this so hard? We love each other but we can't stop fighting." I understand the hopelessness of living in a cycle of conflict. It is emotionally draining, and it makes everything in life seem more difficult and less rewarding. I became a couples therapist because I believe deeply in the importance of being and having a supportive and loving partner. I will help you to understand how and why you are getting triggered, so you can take better care of your own emotional needs, learning how to turn toward your partner and speak for those needs in a way that he or she can hear you, creating a more secure and peaceful relationship.