Trauma Informed Psychotherapy
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process. As a trauma-informed therapist, I want you to know that your story matters and that your pace matters. While clinical diagnoses can be a valuable tool in some instances, I am more interested in understanding how your past experiences have influenced the way that you think, feel, and move through the world. I will work collaboratively with you to develop a treatment approach that is tailored to your unique needs. Working as a team, each of us will come to sessions bringing our own areas of expertise. While I may be the expert on clinical psychology, you are the expert on you. Nobody understands what it is like to be you better than you do.
As I learn more about you each session, I will begin to share observations and hypotheses regarding patterns I am noticing and/or themes that are arising across different contexts. Through this process, we each will gain a more precise understanding of your internal experiences, and this insight will help us identify tailored strategies and tools that will help you move toward your therapy goals.
As a clinical psychologist with a generalist background, I have training in multiple evidence-based approaches, including Solution-Focused Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). However, my foundation is in psychodynamic psychotherapy, which rests on two basic assumptions: present-day experiences are influenced by past experiences, and human behavior is largely directed by unconscious motivations. By gaining insight into the impact of early childhood experiences and by making the unconscious conscious, you will develop a greater awareness of forces (both internal and external) driving your behavior, and this insight will grant you a greater capacity to choose new and more effective behaviors.
Up until recently, the field of clinical psychology has largely overlooked the impact of cultural and sociopolitical factors on human behavior and mental health. Our experiences do not occur in a vacuum, and in order for me to truly understand you, I must acknowledge and consider the multicultural context in which you live. My most important task as a therapist is to create a therapeutic space that is safe, validating, and inclusive. In particular, I am committed to creating an environment that is anti-racist, anti-sexist, neurodiversity-affirming, and LGBTQIA-affirming.
Areas of Practice
Given my generalist background, I am qualified to provide psychotherapy to adult clients with a variety of mental health concerns. Although my services are available to clients from all backgrounds, I specialize in working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly gay and bisexual men, as well as with male-identified clients. As a psychodynamic therapist, I am particularly well suited to work with clients who are wanting to address complex trauma, interpersonal concerns, difficult childhood experiences, and/or issues related to their families of origin.
My primary specialty areas include:
LGBTQIA+ Issues
Internalized homophobia and transphobia
Coming out concerns
Gender dysphoria
Stigma and Discrimination
Men’s Issues
Complex Trauma
Childhood trauma and/or Family of Origin Issues
Shame, Identity, and/or Self-Image Concerns
Perfectionism and People-Pleasing
Interpersonal/Relationship Concerns
Personality Disorders
Depression
Anxiety
Neurodiversity
Anger Management
Occupational and/or Academic Concerns
Burnout
Stress Management
Work/Life Balance
Adjustment, Transitions, and/or Phase of Life Concerns
Let’s Connect
andrew@drbingman.com
(713) 510-3257