- Client-Centered Therapy
- CBT and DBT
- Mindfulness practices
About Bret
Bret Patterson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Mississippi with four years of counseling experience. He works with adults on stress, anxiety, grief, anger, depression, addictions, relationship concerns, and family of origin issues. He also takes on concerns such as intimacy-related problems, parenting strain, self-esteem, career questions, and compassion fatigue.
Before becoming a counselor Bret spent 25 years as a paramedic and clinical educator. That background shaped how he listens and asks questions. Sessions tend to focus on practical steps and clearer communication rather than medical jargon.
His approach draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), the Gottman Method, and mindfulness practices. In conversation he aims to help people notice patterns from the family they grew up in and try different ways of responding. Work can include skills practice, noticing unhelpful thoughts, and learning ways to manage strong emotions.
Bret will talk with each person to set goals and agree on next steps. He frames therapy as a collaborative effort where you and he decide what matters most. Typical sessions include talking through recent events, reviewing coping strategies, and planning small behavioral changes.
People often come for help after a loss, during a relationship struggle, or when old family roles keep reappearing. Bret offers straightforward, practical support drawn from his clinical and emergency-care background.
How Bret integrates evidence-based approaches online
Bret commonly uses client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in session. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and working from the client's own goals, helping people notice what matters most to them. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavioral changes to reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms.He also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance when strong feelings are getting in the way. DBT skills practice can help with anger, self-management, and coping during intense moments. These approaches are practical and skill-based, and they can be combined as needed to address relationship patterns or family of origin issues.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Bret will collaborate with the client to choose methods that fit their goals and preferences and will adjust strategies over time. He frames therapy as a collaborative process where methods are chosen based on what the person hopes to change.
Session formats are not specified in the supplied biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving, or medical obligations, and it can reduce travel time. Some people use shorter check-ins or audio-only meetings when that better fits their day, while others prefer a full-length conversational session.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
Mississippi
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, grief, anger, depression, addictions, relationship and family of origin concerns, plus related issues such as parenting strain and intimacy-related problems.
Which therapeutic approaches does he use?
He uses client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), the Gottman Method, and mindfulness therapy depending on the client's needs.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has four years of professional counseling experience, and spent 25 years prior to that working as a paramedic and clinical educator.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Mississippi.
Do sessions take place in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.