Joe Butler MA LMHC

Reaching out for help isn't easy. We're afraid people will judge us if they find out how messed up we really are. We judge ourselves for not being strong enough to fix our own problems in the first place. So we start pretending. We pretend to be happier than we are, more successful than we are, stronger than we are. We get pretty good at it too. So good, in fact, that the pretending parts begin to take over and the real parts start to fade away. That's where the trouble begins and where I can help! Happiness comes from being more of who we are, not less. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience and training in psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and existential therapy I can help you create a life you can love, not just endure -- a life with meaning, purpose, and even joy! Special interests of mine include working with: loneliness and loss of purpose, anxiety and panic, perfectionism and life balance, and emotionally starved couples. Specific to my couples work, I have found that it's vital to help people understand the art and science of love. For this reason, I rely on Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method. With EFT, I help couples pivot from experiencing strong emotion as something that gets in the way of love, toward learning how to use emotion as the glue that actually reinforces closeness and a secure attachment. I use the Gottman Method to teach couples practical and accessible tools to quickly improve the quality of communication and connection in their relationship. In my work I also incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. ACT is an off shoot of CBT that combines cognitive behavioral principals, mindfulness strategies, and taking committed action in one's life as a way to effectively manage anxiety and depression. A seasoned clinician, I enjoy supervising other clinicians as well as writing, teaching, and presenting on topics I care deeply about. Learn more about me and how I can help at joebutlertherapy.com