Dr. Thomas Whitfield
I pride myself on providing a supportive platform for my patients to explore the internal and external obstacles that stop them from reaching their life's desires. You and I will work to foster lifelong change by challenging unhelpful thinking and behavioral patterns in an environment that offers warmth, empathy, and safety.
My Approach
We will collaborate on all treatment decisions. We will begin with setting goals for therapy, making them measurable, and prioritizing where to start.
For anxiety and anxiety related disorders, depression, and other mood related disorders I primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I also incorporate skills and tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), and mindfulness approaches. For individuals who have experienced trauma (including but not limited to physical and sexual trauma), I may recommend Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Written Exposure Therapy (WET), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). This may sound like a lot of jargon; one of the first goals of our work together will be to help you figure out what's best for you.
Professional Background
I completed my Doctorate in Health Psychology and Clinical Science at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in New York City. I have worked with diverse populations in a variety of settings, including outpatient, inpatient, hospital, and university settings. I have worked with people who benefit from both short- and long-term therapy. In addition to my Ph.D., I also hold two Master's degrees, one in Psychology and the other in Philosophy.
I have published numerous studies in international scientific peer-reviewed journals. Much of the research and intervention development I've been involved in has revolved around helping minority populations (LGBTQIA+) and couples manage their sexual health and build intimacy. My dissertation research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and is published in part in Archives of Sexual Behavior.