What if counseling could be COMFORTABLE? What if it could be done YOUR way? After all, this is YOUR life, these are YOUR challenges, and this is YOUR story to write, or even re-write. What can I do to help make counseling more COMFORTABLE for you?
Although waterfalls, and new age music in the background are nice, that's not what you will find in my office. Instead, you will find a comfortable office space where you are free to be yourself; comfortable enough to kick off your shoes and relax as we discuss your struggles, challenges, goals.
My office attire is relaxed, and my counseling philosophy is unique. I specialize in working with men and the challenges they face, such as various types of addiction, marital stress, life transition, and parenting issues. When not counseling, I kayak, hike, ride my bike, and enjoy live music.
Why am I the Comfortable Counselor? My passion is to help people feel comfortable while helping them. People often have an idea of what they think therapy is all about, because they’ve heard things from friends and family, and we’ve all seen enough television and movies to get the idea that only crazy people need to see a counselor. Only people who can’t keep their crap together need a counselor. Only weak-minded people need a counselor. Frankly, the list could go on and on, and it’s all about one word: stigma. That stigma sounds something like: I must be broken or weak or losing my marbles if I need to go to a therapist or a counselor.
But I am here to tell you that that is simply not true. You are not broken or crazy or weak; on the contrary, one of the strongest things that a person can do is recognize that they need help, and then, to ask for it.
So will you be comfortable seeing a therapist like me? Who knows? I’ll tell you what I am about and then you can decide if I am the right person for you.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME: I’m a middle-aged guy. I traveled around South America for a couple of years. I was a Spanish teacher for a few years, sold insurance for a few years, and did a couple of other things for a few years. But none of those were really what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It was when I started working at a methadone clinic that I decided to go back to school to become a therapist. While I was in school, I worked with clients with all sorts of behavioral and unique challenges, and I realized how many people really need help of one kind or another. There’s no shame in it, just like some people have high blood pressure or eczema or are color blind.
Ultimately, I decided to become a therapist because I enjoy helping people. I felt like I could make a lasting contribution to other people's lives because I, too, have dealt with my own personal baggage, and I’ve had a lot of experience going to therapy myself.
My life has been far from perfect. I grew up around people who were addicted to various behaviors and substances, as well as people who struggled with various mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, I’ve lost some very dear and close family members to addictions, as well.
I am divorced. I am remarried. I have children of my own and through remarriage. I have varying types and levels of relationships with those children. Some of them are good. Some of them are getting better. All of them, to varying degrees, define this crazy thing we call love.
I have an ex and all the issues, challenges, ups and downs that come along with having an ex. I have had my own challenges with anxiety and depression, as well as occasionally just feeling stuck on the treadmill of life, seemingly going nowhere. But all of the experiences give me perspective and insight into the trials of life that other people are going through, and I think that makes me a better counselor.
And what do I do to stay sane myself? Lots of things. I hike, bike, run, swim, kayak, and sing in a barbershop quartet. I love live music and traveling anywhere I can afford to experience live music. I volunteer my time to good causes, and always make sure to keep a sense of humor about life.
Does this collection of paragraphs answer all your questions? Probably not. If you want to know more about me and how I do things, just come see me. My approach to counseling is simple: This is your life. I already have my own life (and my own therapist). You’re in the driver’s seat, so tell me where you want to go and how you want to get there. We’ll figure out your course together and map out the direction you need to head.
So put your feet up and relax. Welcome to Comfortable Counseling.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Antisocial Personality, Attachment issues, Avoidant Personality, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dependent Personality, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Expats, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Immigration Issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sex Addiction, Sexuality, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Patrick Ide. 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.
Patrick is a good listener who allowed me to share what I was going through without judgement and provided guidance on how to help myself though what I was going through. Our conversations were great because they resembled conversations between friends. I enjoyed working with Patrick and would highly recommend working with him.
Written on Jun 13, 2020 after therapy with Patrick for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
He is one of the best. Highly recommend him.
Written on Jun 02, 2020 after therapy with Patrick for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, and self esteem
He's great, listens well and gives me good insight on who I am.
Written on May 16, 2020 after therapy with Patrick for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, coaching, and compassion fatigue
When first working with Patrick, his approach is very unorthodox, but cuts to the root of the matter. While therapy isn't always a comfortable experience, he does a good job of putting you at ease and opening up about your situation. In the weeks that I've worked with Patrick, I've been pleased with my progress, and I look forward to working with him in the future. He has my highest recommendation for clients who are looking for a unique perspective into male-centric issues.
Written on May 12, 2020 after therapy with Patrick for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching
I am dealing with addiction and family concerns. Patrick has been nothing less than uplifting, encouraging, and knowledgeable. He responds quickly if texted, and does a wonderful job promoting the conversation when I find it difficult or unsure. Definitely the type to give homework too so it’s more than just one session a week; he gives something for you to think and work on also.
Written on May 12, 2020 after therapy with Patrick for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, and anger management
My personal experience has been so good, Patrick is always listening and looking a way to help me and make me feel comfortable with him and the most important for me, he make me see the life from a better side, about that "little things" that I wasn't considering they were affecting to me in many aspects.
So I will be very grateful with him for ever.
Written on May 11, 2020 after therapy with Patrick for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, and coping with life changes