Peggy Hickey

Hello and welcome. I'm Peggy (Mary Margaret is my legal name and as my 3 sisters are all named Mary I prefer to go by Peggy - good Irish stock )

I am a seasoned clinician with over 25 years experience in the helping profession. I received my graduate degree in counseling psychology from Lewis & Clark College in the way back...

I have extensive experience as a counselor in addictions and co-occurring disorders and began my focus on mental health about six yrs ago. I received special training in EMDR to treat PTSD and trauma. I have had a lot of success working with OCD and anxiety disorders. But my specialty would be working with women going through peri and or menopause issues.

My approach to therapy is to understand what your inner dialogue is saying. I like to drill down and get specific what exactly are you telling yourself that hinders or worsens your issues. What we think directly effects how we feel and than what we do. I can help you examine this and make the appropriate changes

In addition I use EMDR to neutralize trauma or depression or PTSD. It helps take the sting out and gives you back control.

Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing are also techniques I find helpful when needed.

I am a empathetic and compassionate therapist who can be direct and frank. I can challenge or allow you to vent depending upon your readiness. I like to add levity now and again of course when appropriate.

Example of what to expect on your first visit to my telehealth practice:

Welcome! So nice to meet you! Tell me what brings you to therapy and why now?

With this information I gain understanding why you've come and what the precipitating event was that led you to treatment. I develop the process of diagnosing which helps guide how I proceed with treatment. Your family, social and employment history helps me determine your strengths, where you may need reinforcements/supports and nature vs nurture concerns. My aim is to help with a non-judgemental, supportive and objective perspective.