Dr. Eddie Blakes

Seeking therapy can feel overwhelming, and finding the right therapist is one of the most important parts of the process. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable, respected, and genuinely understood.

My name is Dr. Eddie Lee Blakes Jr. (They/Them), a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Independent Addiction Counselor (LIAC) providing therapy for children, adolescents, and adults in Arizona and Pennsylvania. I have over a decade of experience working across crisis services, inpatient psychiatry, outpatient behavioral health, trauma treatment, and addiction recovery. I earned my Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) and have advanced training in EMDR and several evidence-based therapies.

I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, ADHD, addiction, grief, relationship concerns, life transitions, stress, and emotional overwhelm. Whether I'm helping a child build emotional regulation skills, supporting a teenager through life's challenges, or working with an adult toward healing and personal growth, my approach is tailored to each person's unique needs.

I believe therapy should be a place where you never have to pretend you're okay. My role is to help you feel supported while challenging you to grow at a pace that's right for you.

I believe the best therapy is collaborative. You're the expert on your life, and I'm here to provide guidance, evidence-based tools, and a safe space to help you reach your goals.

Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor treatment to each individual based on their age, experiences, strengths, and goals. I work with children, adolescents, and adults and recognize that every stage of life comes with unique challenges and opportunities for growth.

Depending on your needs, I may incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-based approaches.

My style is warm, direct, and solution-focused. We'll spend time understanding the "why" behind your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while also building practical skills you can use outside of therapy. Whether your goals involve healing from trauma, managing anxiety or depression, maintaining recovery, improving emotional regulation, or navigating a major life transition, we'll create a plan together that fits your needs.

Your first session is a conversation, not an interrogation.

We'll talk about what's bringing you (or your child) to therapy, what you've been experiencing, and what you hope will be different moving forward. I'll ask questions to better understand your history, strengths, and current challenges, but you never have to share more than you're comfortable sharing. When working with children or adolescents, I also spend time getting to know the family and understanding everyone's goals for treatment.

I believe therapy doesn't have to feel cold or overly clinical. While we'll discuss serious topics, I often use appropriate humor to help ease anxiety, build rapport, and create a more relaxed environment. Many people find that laughter can make difficult conversations feel a little less intimidating and helps them feel comfortable being themselves.

By the end of our first session, you'll have a clearer understanding of how I work, and together we'll begin identifying goals and developing a treatment plan that's personalized to your needs. My priority is making sure you leave feeling heard, supported, and hopeful about the path ahead.

Many individuals and families tell me they appreciate that our sessions balance compassion, authenticity, and practical strategies. My goal is to help you not only understand what's happening but also leave each session with tools, insight, and confidence to begin creating meaningful change in everyday life.