I am excited that you have taken the courageous step to ask for help. In my experience as a clinician, I have come to believe that seeking support is an indication of strength. I am a Master’s level clinical social worker and believe communication is one of the most foundational elements of our potential work together.
To help you determine if we are a good match, I’d like to share with you a little about my communication style and my approach to therapy. I tend to be fairly direct and have been described in a variety of ways, and most commonly as ‘compassionate’ and ‘skilled at creating space for difficult conversations.’ I believe that people are experts in their own lives and that my role will be to listen, guide, support and encourage you. Together we will determine the focus of our work, how we will communicate with each other including giving attention to things that might get in the way of progress.
I am a firm believer in the power of relationships and all of my clinical work is built on the premise that human beings grow through and toward relational connection throughout our lives. Relational connection is essential to staying alive and thriving, and isolation – whether at the individual or cultural levels – is a major source of suffering. This is critically important as we are all navigating uncharted territory and discovering new ways of being that have required physical separation, and now a return to physical presence. with new safety rules. My experience is broadly around trauma that impacts individuals, families, workplaces and communities. Specific areas of expertise include: loss and grief; anxiety and depression; intimate partner violence; complex trauma, and; individual and social trauma and stress that impacts all races and spaces.
My primary theoretical approach to mental health and wellness is the mind-body connection or somatic psychotherapy informed by polyvagal theory (the science of connection). From this sense, the mind and body are viewed as one entity and a primary focus of treatment will be to explore, identify and integrate one’s bodily sensations with one’s mind. From this perspective, the goal of our work would be to positively impact, integrate and help regulate the mind-body for maximum benefit. The embodied approach to health and wellness is effective for trauma, depression, anxiety, restored inner balance, enhanced resilience, increased vitality, and increased capacity to engage actively in life. For this reason, I take a polyvagal informed approach, which means the primary focus of our first few sessions will be to help you understand the role of your nervous system and develop a map of the ways your nervous system informs your moment-to-moment decisions. Your autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a 24/7 personal surveillance system that operates in service of your safety. Developing a map will take a couple of sessions. Once we have s a basic understanding of how your ANS is guiding you through your days, we will build resources to support healing. Once you determine that you want to work with me, I will send you a brief explanation of the science of connection and ask that you read it before our first session.
In closing, one of the most valuable pieces of advice I received from a therapist was that I could determine whether or not a therapist was a good fit for me. She went on to say that it was ok for me to seek out the type of therapist that would offer the most effective therapeutic relationship and treatment for me. I offer this same wisdom to you.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Depression, Coping with life changes, Domestic Violence, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Guilt and shame, Multicultural Concerns, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Women's issues
Clinical approaches: Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
OH LISW I.1200480-SUPV
IN LCSW 34006117A
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Cherie Bridges Patrick. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
She is wonderful!!
Written on Dec 12, 2022 after therapy with Cherie for 2 years and 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and compassion fatigue
Cherie is the best therapist I’ve ever had! I would recommend her to everyone I know!
Written on Dec 12, 2021 after therapy with Cherie for 7 months
Cherie is kind and gentle, but also doesn't sugar coat things, which I find refreshing and a perfect match for me. She understands the complexities of being a woman and being a person of color and how those identities influence our experiences. She has taught me how to listen to my body and the messages it's sending me. I feel more in tune with my intuition.
Written on Sep 01, 2021 after therapy with Cherie for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I'm enjoying working with Dr. Bridges Patrick, I feel like she truly understands and resonates with everything I'm going through, she's easy to talk to and our sessions are always extremely useful and healthy. Her approach amazing, I think the majority of therepists could use a session with her and take some notes!
Written on Aug 07, 2021 after therapy with Cherie for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and bipolar disorder
Dr. Bridges has been helping me improve my understanding to lifestyle concerns and situations for three months now. I notice as the more I talk with her the more truth and honesty with myself she's able to help me bring out. I strongly recommend her for anyone as she is so helpful!
Written on Oct 08, 2020 after therapy with Cherie for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
She is an excellent counselor! She is understanding, kind and knowledgeable. She helped me come to insights that have put me on a much better footing. With this awareness of myself I am able to recognize more easily roadblocks in the way of my happiness and move forward. She is great and I recommend 10/10
Written on Jul 07, 2020 after therapy with Cherie for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and anger management