Life can get extremely heavy and complicated all too easily. Perhaps you have even found yourself trying to actively avoid these feelings through self medication, substance abuse, your relationships, career, etc. because it seems far too daunting or complicated to even try. Believe me, this is perfectly normal and nothing to be ashamed of. However, while challenging periods in life, relationships, or family can overwhelm, they also bring rich opportunities to cultivate resilience, a deeper connection, and lasting fulfillment. I offer the opportunity for personal and relationship growth by helping you work through your issues rather than running away from them - the possibility to see who you are at your essence so that you can more autonomously, authentically, and mindfully create who you become in the future. Therefore, people come to me for a number of reasons that all point to one encompassing desire: change. I will help you work through your pain and struggles by supporting you in developing a stronger sense of Self. My person-centered approach, which focuses on you rather than your symptoms, will guide you in developing more autonomous control over your life, fears, and relationships for more holistic mental health. This will help you break out of patterns that have you feeling stuck and lost. I will help you in uncovering meaning in your life and relationships so that you may have a more satisfying, valuable, and fulfilling existence. I specialize in working with teens, adults, couples, and siblings of all cultures around larger existential issues of shame, trauma, anxiety, and relationship challenges that can flare up in the middle of difficult life transitions.
My approach is grounded in an existential-humanistic psychological tradition that is inspired by relational and psychodynamic therapeutic philosophies. I see my role as your therapist as one that tries to connect with you and see you in a holistic way through dialogue so that you may better see yourself (your patterns, meaning behind your experience, etc.), and create the person that you want to become through a healthier mindset and future choices.
or Call Alex Hoeplinger Patten, LMFT at 1-800-651-8085 ext. 17708
More Info About My Practice
My fees vary on a case by case basis as I offer my services on a sliding scale need. Please contact me to learn more about my rates. Also, I offer an initial session 50% my going rate to give you a chance to see what it will be like to talk with me about some of the things that have you coming to therapy before committing to the work together.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
Those I work with tend to be experiencing the following, among others:
-Life transitions: identity shifts, confusion, and crisis; wanting or needing to change but not knowing how; struggling to move forward in life; struggling to move on from the past; feeling lost, stuck, afraid, or overwhelmed with confusion
-Existential issues: loneliness, emptiness, fear, lack of meaning, struggling to know yourself
-Emotional & psychological distress: depression, anxiety, mood swings, stress, angst
-Shame: difficulty valuing or accepting yourself; feeling unlovable, worthless, guilty, or to blame; self doubt, low self-esteem
-Unhealed wounds from childhood
-Anger
-Trauma: adults and adolescents who endured childhood abuse (i.e. sexual, physical, emotional, or psychological abuse)
-Grief
-Escapism: Substance abuse and addiction, obsessions (i.e. with work, relationships, hobbies, etc.), self-medication
-Codependency: struggling to strike a healthy balance between individuality and togetherness with others
-Unwanted thoughts: racing thoughts, unable to understand yourself and your patterns, feeling helpless
-Struggling to make choices
-Strained relationships with intimate partners and family members
-Couples issues: constant arguing or conflict with partners, unhealthy communication, lack of intimacy or fulfillment, relationship transitions, infidelity, premarital counseling, parenting issues, growing apart
-Family/Sibling issues: unhealthy family dynamics and means of communicating, power struggles and imbalances, constant arguing, chronic tension and anxiety, resentment, alarming behaviors or symptoms manifesting in one or more family members, sibling resentment or competition
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.