Colin Pickles, PsyD

My goal is to not just help you feel better; but to help you change what has led to you feeling this way in the first place. One of the philosophies that guides my work is that everyone’s past experiences have led them to develop a set of expectations about how the world works and how others will interact with them. These expectations often serve an adaptive or protective role for us, though they also lead us to develop patterns that inhibit our ability to change. My role is first to help you identify these patterns and assess how they’re working for you. After we’ve done so, I can then help you to find ways to change their narratives and develop new strategies for approaching them. We can also end sessions by identifying things to try so that you always have a sense of direction between sessions. I also operate from a strengths-based model and firmly believe that the goal of our work is not just to decrease your level of stress but also to develop a greater sense of happiness, meaning, and purpose in your life. This means that I’ll be helping you to build on past successes, re-engage with hobbies and relationships you may have pulled away from, and, at times, bringing a playful sense of humor to our conversations. Finally, I believe that a necessary component of successful counseling is a strong relationship between you and your therapist. This means that you should feel understood and respected on an individual level, able to voice your concerns or provide me with constructive feedback, and willing to be open and honest with me. It also means that I owe it to you to be direct and authentic in our interactions, sensitive and curious about your cultural identities and experiences, receptive to feedback, and to not only listen but also to offer new insights and perspectives. If you would like to learn more about what it would be like to work with me, I would be more than happy to speak with you prior to our first appointment.

I firmly believe that relationships are central to our well-being and am particularly passionate about helping people to develop deeper, more satisfying connections with others. In addition to relationship issues, some of my other areas of expertise include strengthening communication, improving self-esteem, treating anxiety and depression, managing workplace stress, and navigating life transitions.

Choosing a therapist can be so stressful and yet research consistently shows that the quality of the connection you feel with your therapist is one of the biggest factors that determines whether you feel better or not. This is why I always arrange for a free consultation prior to scheduling, so that we can get to know one another and you can decide if I feel like the right fit.