Connor Gwaltney, LSW
“Just because something is, doesn’t mean it must be.”
That’s from a video game, no, really it is – but, it just goes to show, there’s wisdom anywhere and everywhere, including within you!
If any of these statements resonate with you, I’d love the opportunity to see if I can help:
- Anxiety and/or depression seem to keep lingering, and you feel like it’s draining your energy, motivation, and overall happiness
- You’re feeling as though it’s getting more and more difficult to manage your symptoms of OCD. Maybe you’re not even sure if you have OCD!
- You’re an athlete that is overwhelmed with all of the stress and pressure to perform perfectly
- The transition to “adulting” has been particularly difficult for you, and you’re feeling more and more isolated (some may call this failure to launch)
- You want the best for you, and those that are closest to you, but the path to get there seems really murky
- Your social skills may need some fine tuning, but you’re finding it easier to play video games
Hi, I’m Connor, and I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work degree. During my time in college, as well as prior to that, I often experienced moments of feeling lost, lacking clear direction, and grappling with the overwhelming array of decisions that life presents. Witnessing OCD in my personal life has afforded me the extra empathy, understanding, patience, and skillset to easily adapt to the ever changing presentations of OCD. As a former baseball player of 16 years, I’m very familiar with navigating the multitude of pressures to perform at your optimal level. These past experiences have not been easy, but they have given me the perspective to realize that we are more resilient than we may think.
What You Get When Working with Me:
I firmly believe that every individual possesses the potential to achieve their aspirations, yet we all require assistance along the way….at least once every now and then! In the therapy room, I foster an atmosphere that is non-judgmental, empathetic, understanding, and also humorous (when appropriate of course). Mental challenges such as anxiety, OCD, and other struggles may ignite feelings of shame, confusion, and despair. However, I’m here to teach you that there is hope, and you can possess the capacity for a meaningful, positive transformation in your life.
Have you ever noticed how our minds work in mysterious ways at times? During our sessions, there may be instances where psychoeducation is necessary to comprehend the intricacies of your thought processes, and the details of how the brain works (I promise I will explain it in a non-boring way). Other times, we might simply reflect on a challenging week. The ups and downs of daily life are all part of the process, and part of my role is to support you in navigating them as effectively as possible.
I believe therapy can be a place to pick apart all of these different conundrums and figure out what matters most to you and how to achieve your goals. And when I say your goals I mean YOUR goals, not mine. Even if you come into session not knowing what you want in life, or feeling like there is no place for you, my hope is that I can help you find that.
Throughout our collaboration, I hold focus on the understanding that nobody knows your story better than you do. While I can’t claim to have walked the exact same path as yours, I assure you of my empathy towards your experiences and my commitment to working alongside you. Together, we’ll explore coping mechanisms and behavioral interventions to enhance your life according to your values and what’s most important to you.
I utilize an array of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to meet each client’s unique needs and objectives. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and free association, which is derived from psychodynamic therapy. My approach is flexible, allowing me to adapt and integrate different modalities based on what resonates most with you. Through collaboration, we’ll discover an approach that effectively supports your needs and learning style.
Believe it or not, I am an actual human outside of the therapy room. Beyond my role as a therapist, I keep busy with a lot of various activities. I’m passionate about fitness, and enjoy indulging in workouts to stay active and healthy. In my leisure time, I like to immerse myself in the world of various novels, often experimenting with writing within the genres as well. I have a deep appreciation for sports of all kinds and thoroughly enjoy participating in them whenever I can. I’m also curious by nature, constantly seeking to expand my knowledge across diverse fields. Lately, I’ve been delving into the realm of computer science and coding, although I must admit, it can be quite bewildering at times!
I’m looking forward to catching up with you.