Colin Peters,LCSW, CADC

My Approach to Helping

More Info About My Practice

We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Cigna PPO, as well as most PPO plans. We are open as well to sliding scale pricing. If you feel we are the right choice for you, we want to make care affordable.
Initial consultations of 30 to 40 minutes are free. You deserve a chance to see if you feel comfortable and can work with us.

What I Love about Being a Psychotherapist

I very much appreciate being the person that my clients come to trust and allow for vulnerability with. I recognize that this is something more often earned than just given.
I love watching people attain the positive changes they came to therapy looking for.

My Therapy Focus

While my focus and this practice identifies substance use and addiction as the reasons people come to therapy I recognize that individual people have unique needs and ways of finding what makes our lives worthwhile. Therapy can focus on very pragmatic and proven techniques to help reduce our responses to stress both internal and external. It can focus on addressing cravings and other compulsions. It can and often does focus at times more on the need to allow for the growth of trust. It can focus on the need for someone to hear and not judge our story and need to simply connect with another person.

My Guiding Ethical Principles

First, do no harm. It's for all in this field, very broadly speaking and it sounds good in any language.

On the Fence About Going to Therapy?

I'm not here to judge you. That may be the easiest thing for me to write or say and really the hardest thing for any of us to deeply believe.

I know the connection I had with my therapist when I really needed them helped me realize I wasn't so broken or just bad that I wouldn't ever find something redemptive or good in my life.

How My Own Struggles Made Me a Better Therapist

So many years ago I was fortunate enough to find a good therapist. She saved my life in more ways than one.
I don't believe it's possible to overestimate the power of empathy and humor and human connection.

Theoretical Influences that Guide My Work

The very short answer to this title is Harm Reduction, Existentialism and Buddhism.
Harm Reduction and Existentialism because we have the right to choose what we want and ultimately how we find meaning and establish our own sense of worth. No one really responds well to being told what to do or what to believe.
Buddhism, because it is the foundation of very pragmatic and evidence based therapies form Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other Mindfulness approaches to recovery .

What I Say to People Concerned about the Therapy Process

I'll always be honest with you. That's a big statement that some may regard warily. Still, in the years I've done this work I've never had to break that promise. I'll never push you more than you are willing or ready for. I'm not here to judge you or shame you. Everyone needs someone on their side who can honestly acknowledge their humanity. Everyone needs someone they can feel safe with.

The Duration and Frequency of Therapy

This varies from person to person and has much to do with what you are looking for and even how much time you have. Demanding travel and work schedules are difficult, but don't preclude an ability to make progress in therapy.
Very pragmatic approaches to managing problematic behaviors like substance use and abuse, or sex or gambling addictions can be introduced within six to eight sessions.
Therapy generally begins with weekly sessions depending on the nature and severity of the problems you are managing. It can step down to sessions every other week or even less depending on where you are at.
Sessions as needed can be arranged as well as phone sessions.
Less than having a hard and fast rule here, I've found it's better to accommodate your needs and wants in this respect.
Any positive change really is better than none.