Ian Collins LCSW

In my work with CBT, clients learn to recognize automatic thoughts that fuel anxiety, depression, anger, shame, or hopelessness. These may include catastrophizing, perfectionistic standards, self-criticism, or rigid beliefs about control and responsibility. Together, we examine how these thoughts influence emotions and behaviors, and we develop more balanced, realistic, and compassionate perspectives.

In therapy, we work on developing psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present, respond rather than react, and make choices aligned with personal values even in the presence of discomfort. Clients learn skills such as mindfulness, cognitive defusion (creating distance from unhelpful thought patterns), and emotional acceptance, which reduce the power of anxiety, shame, and self-criticism.

I use EMDR to help clients process and heal from distressing life experiences that continue to affect their emotions, beliefs, and nervous systems. Trauma is not only defined by what happened, but by how the body and brain stored the experience. When memories are not fully processed, they can remain “stuck,” leading to anxiety, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, emotional reactivity, negative self-beliefs, and patterns that repeat long after the original event has passed.

My work with individuals with ADHD is grounded in understanding both the neurological and emotional experiences that accompany attention-related differences. ADHD is not simply a difficulty with focus; it can affect executive functioning, emotional regulation, motivation, organization, impulse control, and self-esteem. Many children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD have spent years feeling misunderstood, criticized, or labeled as “lazy,” “unmotivated,” or “not living up to their potential.” Th

In therapy, men are invited to slow down and develop a deeper understanding of their emotional world. We work on building emotional awareness and language, learning to recognize stress signals in the body, and developing healthier ways to cope with pressure, conflict, and disappointment. Common concerns include work stress, identity transitions, relationship challenges, fatherhood, divorce, intimacy issues, and struggles with self-esteem or purpose.

In my work, I approach intergenerational trauma with cultural humility, sensitivity, and a deep respect for each client’s lived experience. Therapy focuses on helping clients understand how past experiences—both personal and ancestral—may be influencing current emotions, relationships, and coping strategies. Many clients notice patterns of hypervigilance, emotional numbing, anxiety, depression, or difficulty trusting others without fully understanding their origins. Exploring these patterns can