I am a psychologist licensed in the state of Pennsylvania with over 30 years of training and experience in helping people working through many of life's struggles.
My doctoral studies were in clinical psychology, and my first masters degree was in marriage and family systems. Across the years I've worked in with many different concerns ranging from: depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, fears, and emptiness ... to ...struggles adapting to change of roles and growth through life ... to ... thought disorders ... to ... PTSD from war related experiences, molestations, and rape.
I too have been in therapy several times across the years, and so offer my services as someone who has been greatly helped by this process as well as having extensive training and practical experience. I appreciate how difficult it is to seek help, and how frightening it may be to need help.
My approach is centered around helping you become more of who you are at the deepest levels rather than what anyone else believes you need to be. I offer my services as a guide to help you through your own world of thoughts, feelings, and experiences in an attempt to find meaning. Across the years I've worked in community clinic settings, private practice, Federal prisons, nursing homes, and in-home/community children's services.
My therapeutic style is a casual and caring person centered, including skills sets and models derived from Existential, Jungian, Object Relations, Family Systems, and Cognitive Behavioral approaches. I approach this work with a keen awareness of spirituality and use this to inform our discussions without pushing any specific religious model.
Personally, I was raised in Japan for 10 years as a young child during the Vietnam war. I experienced racial hatred and fears as students rioted in front of my house. My father would take me with him to visit wounded soldiers from a very young age. I know personally about the pain of trying to live, sometimes living up to our dreams and at other times failing.
Through the years I've been honored by numerous people who have shared their hopes, dreams, fears and wounds. I look forward to the opportunity to explore healing with you.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant Personality, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Expats, Family of Origin Issues, Fatherhood Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Traumatic Brain Injury
Clinical approaches: Existential Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Internal Family Systems
PA Psychologist PS008122L
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. John Bixler. 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.
Dr. John is great. His demeanor and appearance is welcoming. His knowledge and insight is top tier. For me, talking to Dr John is easy like talking to an Uncle or Grandpa or some other male role model.
Written on Mar 12, 2024 after therapy with John for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and anger management
I would highly recommend Dr. Bixler as he not only listens with patience and compassion he also challenges how you think about things with wisdom that rivals most men
Written on Mar 12, 2024 after therapy with John for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
My therapy sessions have been very helpful
Written on Mar 11, 2024 after therapy with John for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Better Help provides me with flexible support that assists me with achieving my personal goals.
Written on Feb 24, 2024 after therapy with John for 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Dr. B. Is the objective view point that I needed. His timely response helped me move forward at a faster pace. His challenging questions allowed me to explore opportunities for growth. Great support!
Written on Feb 10, 2024 after therapy with John for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching
I am one of the lucky people who found their therapist on the first try. And that’s Dr. B.
Written on Feb 06, 2024 after therapy with John for 9 months on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, coping with life changes, and coaching