Brent Reynolds, LMHC

Beginning therapy is courageous. It can be a transformational environment, a bridge from suffering to the ultimate discovery of choices that allow people to dynamically engage with life. Anxiety, depression, fear, and troubling feelings are not indicative of sickness, but instead signals that call for empathy, curiosity, and self-care. I believe that people's strengths are essential in the therapeutic process; I endeavor to help people gain access to their honesty, humor, sensitivity, intelligence, courage, and resilience during the course of the healing process. I provide a direct, nurturing, and warm approach to therapy. I have experience working with people overcoming anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship difficulties, and life transitions such as entering into marriage and becoming a parent. I have a specific interest in the heightened opportunity for growth that derives from developmental transitions. I teach courses to clinical fellows on adolescent and child community-based therapy with urban youth. I have worked with adolescents and adults, in individual and couples therapy, and in an array of treatment environments. I treat people in open-ended and brief talk psychotherapy.

If you have had a negative experience in the past, it's understandable that you would approach therapy reluctantly. The only reassurance that matters is your personal experience. To that end I would say that when you do find a therapist that you trust, and a therapeutic space that feels safe, the possibilities for change and healing are among the best gifts you can give yourself.

There are many forms of psychotherapy and many types of practitioners, it is very important to choose the kind of therapy and therapist that feels right. In your initial consultation with any therapist, I recommend that you pay attention, throughout the consultation, to your own feelings about the process. What is it like to sit with this therapist? The best indicator of 'good therapy' is your gut feeling.

I draw from a number of theoretical models, my practice is integrative. The model I draw on with each client will depend on that person's primary dilemma. A therapist's training absolutely matters; however, curative therapy is most often not the result of academic expertise.

Mental health concerns are often multi-determined; Environment matters, as does biochemistry.

Optimal duration and completion of therapy is particular to each person. Ultimately, the client is in the best position to evaluate when his or her objectives are met.