Existential Therapists in Malvern, PA

I am a Licensed Social Worker specializing in working with teens and adults experiencing issues around life stage transitions, self-esteem, existential crisis, and relational issues. I enjoy working with individuals who are motivated and curious to explore parts of themself which are often challenging to address ( like: guilt, shame, anger, inter-generational trauma). I have extensive experience working with clients in all levels of care addressing suicidality, addiction, self-harm, and sexual trauma. My therapeutic focus is to use system perspective and relational techniques to increase self-worth and self efficacy.

My aim as your therapist is to create a space where healing, empowerment, strength, and growth can be experienced. To achieve this, I draw upon interventions of mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing to help you meet your goals in therapy. I believe therapy is not one thing for any one person, but that ultimately it can be a place where meaning and wholeness can be found. As your therapist I will always strive to meet you where you are at and to meet your needs in a way that is collaborative and effective.

Life is full of challenges that test our resilience and leave us questioning or doubting ourselves. Therapy is a place to get the support you need to move forward and discover new meaning and joy in your world. While I tend to focus on the here and now of life’s obstacles, during therapy, we will likely explore family patterns and incorporate mindfulness to help you feel more in control in the future.

Fulfilling our potential is a lifelong journey of becoming more at peace with ourselves, deepening the intimacy in our relationships, being more authentically human, and feeling more alive each day. Along the way, certain challenges arise to cause us distress or confusion. Such moments can make us feel held back, afraid, or unsure of where to go from here. But these moments can also be the points of growth and healing from which we renew ourselves in ways we did not think possible.

I am a caring and insightful therapist with a doctorate in Human Sexuality who can help you in life and in your relationships. I specialize in couples sexuality, individual sexual problems, relationship and intimacy issues, and drug and alcohol use disorder. I work with LGBTQ concerns and gender identity issues. I also explore changes that come with aging and sexuality, including changes in sexual desire and menopause. You may have concerns around erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or compulsive behaviors around sex and pornography use. I can explore with you past sexual abuse. I help you build confidence and self-esteem.

I work collaboratively. Together our first task is to identify clearly what are the problems which bring you to me and to make sure that I understand them correctly. Then we decide on which methods would be best for you. I offer short term cognitive behavioral, EMDR, solution-focused approaches including mindfulness methods. My goal is to help you become your own therapist. I want you to learn to deal with yourself better so you can cope successfully with feelings of anxiety or depression, increase your wellbeing, and, have the life you want.

Life is overwhelming at times. I am dedicated to helping you resolve your stressful issues and achieve happiness. I use EMDR, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychotherapy in my practice. I can also integrate the expressive therapies as a therapeutic tool at your request. My office is located in the Great Valley Corporate Center for your convenience. Please checkout my website for more info: www.expressivecounselingassociates.com.

Do you feel like you need to take a closer look at your life? Maybe something doesn't feel quite right, and you're looking for guidance to identify and overcome that challenge. Therapy with me is a process which involves examining your feelings and experiences to illuminate a path to a better quality of life. Getting the help you need through therapy can be courageous and empowering. It would be my privilege to help light the way forward for you.

Paul Gushurst graduated Phi Betta Kappa from the University of Mary Washington with a BS in Psychology and from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master’s degree in Social Work. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist with over 14 years of experience working with emotionally and behaviorally challenged children and their families. He also has over 8 years of experience working with adults and seniors who are dealing with many of the common mental health issues including: anxiety, mood disorders (depression and bipolar); trauma, and anger. Paul is also skilled in working with couples.

“You’ve always had the power, you just had to learn it for yourself.” These famous words echo a universal truth; no matter what your life experience, personal power lies at the heart of who you are. As a holistic, strength-based therapist, I understand how all aspects of self - mind, body and essence - work together to access inner wisdom and inspire the best version of you. I work with adolescents, adults and families in the treatment of depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, grief and relational problems to help identify and dismantle disruptive thought and behavior patterns that get the way of living your best life.

Challenges are an inevitable part of life. When you feel lost, unhappy, or experience a significant change in your life, you may seek counseling. Counseling can help you gain a better understanding of your emotions, thoughts, and actions. By doing so, you can respond more effectively to life’s challenges, modify your engagement with distressing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, enhance your self-esteem, establish better connections with others, improve productivity at work, and achieve a more purposeful and gratifying life.

You who are highly sensitive and feel a lot, welcome! You'll explore more deeply with me than in traditional talk therapy. You’ve likely tried psychotherapy before but have noticed that the work has either gone nowhere or taken you only so far, or you felt misunderstood. With an uncanny and intuitive ability to really “get” people from many walks of life, I will invite you to go beneath your thoughts, connect with your body and emotions, and gently access the root of your emotional discomfort and hurts to facilitate noticeable shifts with each session.

In person and remote available. Therapy supports positive, healthy personal changes, improvement of anxiety and depression, and progress toward desired goals. Therapy helps clients improve relationships, cope with negative people or influences in their lives, and develop responsible, confident self-images. Individual Therapy, Couples or Co-Parenting Counseling and Life Coaching are available for all ages and backgrounds. The Gay St office is in the center of West Chester, near WCU and directly behind/adjacent to the Justice Center. St Peter’s office is situated along French Creek in historic St Peter's Village.

Dr. David Pulley "Dr. Dave" earned his bachelor's in psychology from Howard University in DC and obtained both his Master's and Doctorate from Chestnut Hill College in PA. His Doctorate degree is in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy and a specialization in the subject of Soul Mates. As a result, he is known as an expert on soul mates and a pioneer of some of the clinically based models and theories on the subject. Dr. Pulley has created a team of clinical consultants (Tender Loving Care Clinical Consultations) who provide psychologically based consultative support for their client base.

It is not easy to take the first step to reach out for therapy! That is why it is so important to me that you feel understood, safe and respected in our sessions. We live in a complex world with surprises and challenges, making it easy for us to feel overwhelmed by daily pressures. I believe that each of us has the inner resources to live a happier and more fulfilling life, making positive choices to manage our stressors, even when faced with complex stressors and demands. My role is to help you recognize and utilize your internal strength and resources to live a more balanced and satisfying life.

I work against the position that views human challenges through a narrow lens bound by diagnosis and pathology. In family therapy, I work with adolescents and their caregivers who are impacted by protracted conflict and disconnection. I work with couples who are caught in patterns of conflict, avoidance, and misunderstanding. Individual therapy places emphasis on the security and safety of the therapeutic relationship in order to create opportunities for change.

Are you struggling to cope or anxious about changes in your life? Are you having trouble sleeping? Would you like greater satisfaction from your career? Do you want to improve your relationships? Is something missing in your life and you just can't figure it out? Perhaps you feel the need to understand yourself or your behavior. As a licensed professional counselor, my goal is for you to not only feel better but to gain an awareness that you have the inner strength to overcome obstacles and feel more in control. Secure Online Sessions Provided.

Let’s normalize beauty in disability and elicit self-love in adversity! I specialize in relationships, individual counseling, LGBT+, and coping with chronic illness. Self-reflection is a powerful tool for seeing the world through different eyes and uncovering grace toward yourself. I believe therapy can be life-changing. I strive for my couples to feel at peace and deeply connected while exploring sex and trauma. I will help you work through your darkest moments to promote empowerment.

If you struggle with distressing emotions, find yourself repeating unwanted behaviors, or feel just plain stuck: welcome. You're not alone and you're certainly not without help. I guide individuals seeking confidence, clarity, and a resolute sense of self. In our work together, you can discover that you have the innate qualities of a leader to navigate anything in life.