Patricia Birkhimer, Lmft-Qs

Welcome to my practice! My love for the field of psychology stemmed from my natural curiosity in childhood mixed with a life that was not always easy. Despite the obstacles I found ahead of me, I pushed myself to achieve my ultimate goal: offering others the kindness, support and thoughtful encouragement I so desperately craved for myself. My journey began in NC, where I began my AA degree and I then relocated to PA, where I completed a B.A. in Psychological and Social Sciences. I received the honor of being selected to intern at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Child and Adolescent Mood and Personally Disorder Department. While there, I learned to assess both clients and families, as well as assisting in conducting research focused on adolescents diagnosed with bipolar I disorder and the use of SSRIs. After graduating in 2009, I relocated to South Florida, where I subsequently put my graduate education on hold as a result of 2 violent car accidents in short order. Despite my injuries, In that time period, I was accepted into the Master’s of Science for Marriage and Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University and graduated with honors and received licensure as an LMFT. A lifetime of traumas, therapeutic support and internal reflection offer me a perspective that allow me the ability to truly relate to and empathize with nearly any client who sits with me. Currently, my PhD in Couple and Family Therapy is on pause, with 2 years to complete. I am also a Licensed Board-Approved Qualified Supervisor for Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Interns in the state of FL.

My clients report appreciating my curiosity, intuition, insight, sense of humor and gentle, but direct approach. My extensive clinical experience has focused on cultural diversity with individuals, couples and families who struggle with depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, couple/family dysregulation and conflict, OCD, ADHD, medical trauma, traumatic brain injury/neurodivergent individuals and impact on support systems, with client ages from 16+ years of age.

My clients feel validated and supported during our interactions, which is always my goal.

I provide therapy that is conducive to client needs; there is no such thing as “one size fits all.” For this reason, I carefully evaluate client needs and goals and focus my sessions on support and collaboration beginning at intake. Few therapists understand neurodivergent conditions such as TBI, as I do, making therapy for these conditions less accessible. Models of therapy I utilize range from CBT, MI, and Couple’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Systems Theory approaches including Bowen, Structural Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, narrative therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, experiential therapy, art therapy and more. My approach is eclectic and tailored to the needs and goals of my clients.

Mental health, substance abuse, and medical traumas are often improperly addressed, leading to poor treatment. I value being thorough in my work to ensure my clients receive comprehensive and compassionate treatment that they deserve. There is no hierarchy in my sessions; I see myself as your source of support and want you to have a voice in every session. This is your safe space.

To ensure a proper clinical fit, I do provide an initial 15 minute free consultation for us to determine our compatibility. During intake sessions, I complete extensive Biopsychosocial assessments to gather information about my client’s full history, as well as generational history to seek possible intergenerational patterns. My clients and I will also work on our treatment plan, where we will discuss and identify the goals of the client(s) and tools we will use to achieve those goals. If tools we select are not effective, we will collaborate on alternatives best suited to each client. There may be an additional fee for intakes that require more than 60 minutes; unfortunately insurance does not cover that extra time This would be discussed during our introduction call. The more I know about you and where you come from at the beginning of our work, the faster we can begin the real work and see results.