Deirdre Barthle
You’ve been carrying a lot, and you don’t have to sort through it alone. I’m a therapist who draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with mindfulness woven in. In practice, that means we’ll work together to understand the thoughts and patterns that keep you stuck, build practical skills for handling them, and make room for what matters most to you so you can move toward the life you want.
In my work with people with trauma I’ve learned that we often need the reminder – no matter what you have struggled with; you are a survivor and that needs to be brought to light.
I especially value working with people healing from trauma. Whatever you’ve lived through, you are a survivor, and that strength deserves to be seen. I’ll listen closely to your story and take my lead from you. Your goals set the direction, and I bring the tools and support to help you get there. If you’re ready to take a first step, I’d be glad to hear from you.
First session
An informal assessment with a couple of necessary questions (i.e.-Does either side of your family suffer from D&A or mental health issues). I outline how I complete therapy as well.
Strengths
Curiosity about who you are. I’m interested in the experiences that have shaped you, not just the symptoms that brought you in. Openness and humility. You’re the expert on your own life. I stay open to learning from you, and I’m willing to adjust my approach when something isn’t working. Training in trauma-focused care. I have experience with exposure therapy, a well-researched approach that helps you gradually and safely face memories and situations that still feel overwhelming, always at a pace that feels manageable to you.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with people who know that progress isn’t always a straight line. Some weeks feel like breakthroughs and others feel like a step back, and that’s part of the process. You might be feeling stuck in your thinking, going over the same thoughts without finding a way through. A fresh, outside perspective can help you see things differently. The best fit is someone who’s open to trying new approaches. I’ll be just as open to learning about what has helped you in the past, because you know your own life better than anyone, and what’s worked before is a valuable place to build from.
Ongoing work together
What will your ongoing work together look like? We’ll start by getting to know each other. I’ll learn your story, what’s brought you in, and what has helped (or hasn’t) in the past. From there, we’ll set goals together, and you’ll guide the direction. Sessions blend practical CBT tools, such as looking closely at your thoughts and testing whether they hold up, with ACT and mindfulness skills that help you loosen the grip of unhelpful thinking and focus on what matters to you. If trauma is part of what you’re working through, we’ll move at a pace that feels manageable, using approaches like exposure therapy only when you’re ready. [Sessions are typically weekly / every other week.] How will you know you’re making progress? Progress looks different for everyone, and it isn’t always a straight line. Some signs clients notice: the thoughts that used to feel overwhelming lose some of their power, you catch yourself stepping back from old patterns, and you’re making choices that fit your values rather than reacting out of stress or fear. We’ll also check in regularly on the goals you set at the start, so you can see how far you’ve come and adjust the plan whenever it needs to change.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help you change your relationship with unhelpful thoughts. Instead of getting caught up in them, you learn to notice them, loosen their grip, and make choices based on what matters to you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Using CBT, we work as a team to explore what you’re thinking and feeling, then test those thoughts against the evidence. You’ll leave with skills you can use on your own, long after our sessions.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions649 N Lewis Rd, Royersford, PA 19468, Suite 44
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Licensed in
- PennsylvaniaLicense PC011647