Fred Pence
How much of your life is spent waiting to feel confident enough to live it? I’m Fred, a licensed clinical social worker who works with adults struggling with anxiety, addiction, relationship difficulties, and major life stress. My practice is direct, collaborative, and practical. I draw primarily from Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and other evidence-based approaches.
My greatest strengths as a provider are clarity, empathy, and the ability to get to the heart of an issue without wasting time.
A lot of people come to therapy believing they need more confidence, more clarity, or more certainty before they can move forward. Often, confidence is built differently: by learning to act, adapt, and make meaningful decisions even while doubt, anxiety, and difficult emotions are still present. Together, we’ll work on changing the patterns that keep you stuck and building the flexibility and confidence to move toward the life you want.
First session
In the first session, clients can expect a conversation that’s structured but low-pressure. I’ll ask questions to understand what brings you in, what you’ve tried before, and what’s most important to you now. We’ll start identifying goals and begin laying the groundwork for change — whether that’s emotional relief, building coping skills, or working through long-standing issues. Above all, I focus on creating a space where clients feel safe, heard, and never judged.
Strengths
A big part of my work is helping people develop willingness to feel the full range of emotions without letting those emotions define their experience or decide an outcome. Instead of chasing certainty or trying to control every possible outcome, we focus on being prepared, flexible, and able to respond effectively when life does not go as planned. I also value honesty, humor, and clear feedback. My goal is for therapy to feel useful, understandable, and connected to real life.
Ideal clients
I work best with clients who are ready to look at the patterns that are holding them back — whether it’s anxiety, people-pleasing, addiction, or the aftermath of trauma. Many of my clients are high-functioning but internally overwhelmed, stuck between what they value and how they actually feel. I’m especially effective with individuals who appreciate a direct, thoughtful approach and want practical tools alongside genuine support.
Treatment methods
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
First, we move at your pace, start where you are, in a safe space with no judgment. I am certified by the Albert Ellis Institute in REBT. I use this method in conjunction with a person-centered approach. I have successfully treated anxiety, substance use disorders, depression, and social anxiety. Throughout our time together we will be identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs, tolerating emotions that hold you back, and learning to meet your needs.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based approach that helps people change their relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions so they can move toward a life guided by their values. Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety, sadness, anger, or intrusive thoughts, ACT helps you: 1. Make space for uncomfortable emotions 2. Step back from unhelpful thinking patterns 3. Get clear about what truly matters to you 4. Take meaningful action — even when it’s hard ACT is less about “feeling better” immediately and more about building psychological flexibility — the ability to stay grounded and act according to your values even when life is uncomfortable.
Existential
Existential therapy explores the deeper questions that often sit beneath anxiety, depression, or feeling stuck — questions about meaning, identity, freedom, purpose, loss, and uncertainty. This approach involves: -Thoughtful, direct conversations about what feels stuck or unresolved -Exploring patterns of avoidance, fear, or self-limiting narratives -Clarifying values and purpose -Examining where you have choice and agency when it doesn’t feel like it -Tolerating uncertainty instead of trying to eliminate it -Translating insight into intentional action
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Serves
Licensed in
- IndianaLicense 34011893A
- PennsylvaniaLicense CW024812