Richard O’Garr is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MHC) with over 15 years of experience helping people who are struggling with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, stress, relationship conflicts, and addiction.

I am a Licensed Clinical Therapist with experience supporting people through difficult life transitions, trauma, anxiety therapy, and depression. These issues never exist in a vacuum, and they almost always become entangled with each other, feeling overwhelming at times. You can expect transparency, authenticity, and empathy when meeting with me. I tend to use a personalized approach to therapy, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy to help challenge negative core beliefs while building positive, sustainable coping techniques. Therapy can be daunting, but it’s also a journey. I invite you to bring your strengths, challenges, hopes, and fears, and share them in a safe, empathic space as we work together.

Talk therapy can help you become your true self. I have worked extensively with adults and have a good understanding of childhood issues.I also do couples work focusing on improving communication which fosters real intimacy. I work with individuals and families from an interpersonal approach with a focus on emotions.I believe that all people have resources to solve problems.I am easy to talk to and I have great listening skills. I have worked many years with adolescents in public education. I have had great success with them because I understand what it is like being an adolescent today. I also have an extensive background in substance abuse.

I support clients in building the skills to regulate emotions, navigate challenges, and create meaningful, lasting change. My work integrates my training as a therapist, behavioral scientist, mindfulness teacher, and coach, drawing on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), and mindfulness. I help clients live more fully in alignment with their values, strengthen their health and functioning, cultivate resilience, and deepen their sense of meaning and purpose. My background includes advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), and Positive Psychology. I also teach mindfulness-based approaches, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP).

My approach to therapy is humanistic, collaborative, and creative. I work alongside my clients to help them explore relationship patterns (with self and others), examine complicated feelings, and build self-confidence. My role is to facilitate my clients' movement towards change, and to help them reach their individual goals. I'm an engaged listener. I allow space for reflection and empathy while bringing focus on my clients' strengths. I combine traditional talk therapy with art making to help my clients gain a greater understanding of themselves. I believe creativity and self-expression are keys to growth that lead to insight. Creativity allows for self-expression, and helps to externalize inner thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I work with adolescents and adults who are experiencing anxiety, self-esteem issues, and relationship issues. I'm passionate about adoption and attachment-related issues. I love working with adoptees of all ages who are interested in exploring their personal experiences.

I specialize in work with gay men. Are you worried that most therapists will not truly understand you, or that you will have to censor yourself in therapy because you are a gay man? I had these same concerns, and they motivated me to become a psychotherapist who could help others like me. We will work together in a safe and relaxing environment to discover and actualize the solutions you need in order to live a more fulfilling life. With 20 years of clinical experience, I have honed a comprehensive approach that ensures each session addresses your specific needs and goals, helping you achieve meaningful and lasting change. To achieve this, I integrate a variety of therapeutic techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), internal family systems, and Zen therapy. I am also a certified sex therapist. The foundation of our work together is the strong therapeutic relationship we build.

I practice a problem focused, short-term, and distinct form of cognitive behavioral therapy. I am an active directive therapist. I teach people how to change what can be changed and to accept what cannot be changed about themselves, others and life. I teach rational thinking. This approach is called Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). It was created by Albert Ellis a famous psychologist who I worked with for many years. This is a no nonsense approach to emotional and behavioral health. I actively show you how not to upset yourself when you encounter difficulties so that you can then go about attempting to modify what can be changed. I teach people how to control their emotions and behaviors. I work with individuals and couples. I show people how to adopt sensible beliefs so that they can achieve their potential. Please go to my website and watch my video and read more about this very pragmatic, fast acting and direct form of psychotherapy.

Welcome! I work with clients who struggle with the psychological, emotional, and physical consequences of past and or ongoing trauma, as they try to avoid repeating personal and professional mistakes that only worsen their experiences. If these challenges sound familiar, I can help you process your trauma in a supportive, validating environment, that is empowering and ultimately freeing.

I am excited to start each session with my clients, picking up from our conversation last week, or exploring something new. Therapy is easier, and frankly more fun, when therapeutic work doesn't feel like a chore. I work with individuals, couples, and families to explore new perspectives and practice new solutions. I primarily use systemic therapies, which help us understand issues within different contexts, like family, work, or culture. By understanding your daily life, and your systems, we can explore how to evolve smaller solutions so they feel achievable. Each time we talk, we build upon our therapy goals, moving with life. Communication is everything in couples therapy. Combining our goals, or empathizing with past injuries, requires finding new ways to talk, and listen. Often the beginning of couples work requires building trust to believe and understand one another. I utilize Gottman Method and emotion-focused work to help couples to connect to shared goals and to each other. For individuals, I commonly work with mood conditions (anxiety, depression, etc.), as well as exploring familial or social relationships. Solution-focused work helps with managing symptoms and finding smaller achievements that build into bigger change over time. It's then important to evolve those solutions in natural systems, like family or work contexts.

I'm interested in you and your unique mix of strengths and challenges, both external and internal. All that is specific to you that will unlock greater fulfillment, more satisfying relationships, and increased peace and joy - that is what we're after! Ultimately, we'll work together to uncover how to leverage your strengths and integrate your challenges to foster more happiness and purpose. Clients who work with me gain a clearer understanding of what is really going on for them and what is happening in their relationships. They are then able to find ways to make positive changes in their thoughts, assessments, and actions, resulting in greater functioning in their lives and more effective self-expression. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in patterns, hurt, or in pain, you don’t have to go it alone. I offer a thoughtful, grounded, and relational space where you can bring your authentic self and feel genuinely supported. Sessions are available at a variety of times, including evenings, weekends, and mornings. I invite you to reach out to schedule a Free 15-minute Video Consultation to see if I might be the right therapist for you!