Paddy Loftus
Paddy Loftus
M.A., Doctoral Extern
He/Him
I work with adolescents and adults who are trying to better understand themselves, feel less alone in what they are carrying, and move toward a life that feels more honest, connected, and sustainable.
Many of the people I support are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, relationship stress, grief, identity development, or major life transitions. Some feel stuck in patterns they cannot fully explain yet. Others are trying to find language for who they are, what they need, and how to build relationships where they can feel more fully themselves.
I am especially passionate about working with LGBTQ+ clients, BIPOC clients, and people whose identities or life experiences have not always been fully seen, understood, or affirmed. My goal is to offer therapy that feels respectful, collaborative, and genuinely curious about the whole person in front of me.
✔️ Accepting new clients
How I work:
My style is warm, open-minded, patient, and curious. I encourage clients to come as they are, without needing to edit themselves, perform, or have everything figured out before therapy begins.
I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most important parts of meaningful change. When clients feel safe enough to be honest, therapy can become a place to explore emotions, patterns, relationships, identity, values, and the parts of life that may feel hard to say out loud elsewhere.
I often draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, while also taking a strengths-based approach. Together, we may look at how your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and coping strategies are connected, while also paying attention to your values, resilience, relationships, and hopes for the future.
At times, therapy with me may feel playful, creative, or exploratory. At other times, it may feel grounded, reflective, and practical. I try to meet clients where they are and help them discover what actually works for them, not what they think they are supposed to do.
Who I work with:
I typically work with adolescents, young adults, and adults through middle adulthood. Many of my clients are trying to understand themselves more fully, live more authentically, or make sense of experiences that have felt confusing, painful, or isolating.
I have a strong interest in supporting LGBTQ+ and intersectional clients, including people navigating identity development, coming out, relationships, family stress, grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use. I recognize that identity does not exist in isolation. Race, culture, gender, sexuality, family, faith, community, and systemic stress can all shape how people experience themselves and move through the world.
In therapy, I aim to help clients build self-understanding, strengthen valued relationships, develop more flexible coping strategies, and move toward choices that feel more aligned with who they are.
More about me:
I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and later trained at the University of Southern California, where I supported individuals and couples interested in smoking cessation.
I am currently pursuing my doctorate in Clinical-Community Psychology at George Washington University. My training has included work with adolescents and adults across school-based and community mental health settings.
Across my clinical work, I am drawn to therapy that supports both individual healing and community well-being. I care deeply about improving access to affirming mental health care, especially for people and communities who have too often been underserved, misunderstood, or left to navigate painful experiences alone. I am currently working under the supervision of Dr. Aimee Caramico.