Richard Layzod

Whatever brought you here — anxiety, depression, grief, the weight of a past trauma, family conflict, or just the accumulation of everyday stressors — I'd be glad to help. I'm passionate about helping people find real solutions to life's challenges. I earned my bachelor's in social work from the University of North Alabama and my Master of Social Work from the University of Alabama, and over eight years I've worked with clients facing alcohol and drug-related issues, severe and persistent mental illness, depression, anxiety, grief, and the ordinary pressures that can quietly become too much to carry. That range means very little you bring will surprise me, and nothing you say here will be met with judgment.

I use a strengths-based, person-centered approach to help you cope with what you're facing and move toward your own goals — not goals I assign you. Depending on what you need, I draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, mindfulness-based approaches, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work. With families, I also use cognitive behavioral family therapy to help you understand the patterns you're caught in and build healthier ways of relating. My aim is always to build on what's already working in your life, not just to focus on what feels broken.

Our first session is about getting to know you. I'll complete an initial mental health assessment — really just a conversation about your history, what's been happening, and what you're hoping will change — so we can figure out together which approach will genuinely fit you. There's no pressure to have anything figured out beforehand, and no need to share more than feels comfortable. By the end, we'll have a clearer sense of what we're working toward and how we'll get there. Mostly, I want you to leave feeling heard and hopeful.