Olatunde Howard

Have you been feeling anxious, distant from the people closest to you, or weighed down by a loss you haven't found words for? Have you been longing for something deeper? If so, I'm very glad you're here. I'm Olatunde, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with six years of experience. I connect deeply with my clients and help them connect deeply with others. I work with individuals, couples, and families facing anxiety, depression, stress, grief, end-of-life concerns, and the strain that can build in relationships and family life. I focus on men's issues, anger, identity, and the pressure to hold everything together alone. I do this work by being my "solid self" with you and empowering you to be your solid self with me, empowering you to be your truest self. When you experience that in therapy, it can open the door to change outside of therapy, becoming who you were made to be and finding the deepest intimacy.

I call my style of therapy "Differentiated Motivational Interviewing." It brings together the Marriage and Family Therapy principle of differentiation (the solid self) with a process of engaged, focused, motivated planning called "Motivational Interviewing." In plain terms, that means learning to stay grounded in who you are, even when relationships get tense or emotions run high, while getting clear on what you want and what's moving you toward it. You are the expert on your life. I add my expertise to yours to help you reach your goal. I'm direct, and I'll challenge you when it helps you grow, because I believe in what you're capable of. Depending on what you need, I may also draw on attachment-based work, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or narrative therapy, which helps you look at the story you've been telling about your life and reshape the parts that no longer fit.

Reaching out for therapy for the first time is a big step. Beginning with our first session, I focus on gaining a deep understanding of what brings you to therapy. This is called engagement. I'll ask what's been happening and what made you decide to reach out now, and I'll listen closely so I understand your experience the way you see it. You can share at your own pace, and you're welcome to ask me questions about how I work. From there, we'll talk about the sessions ahead, where we focus on your goal, your motivation, and your plan for therapy. I hope you leave our work more solid in yourself and more deeply connected to the people you love.