Andrew Cruise

I subscribe to the belief that who we are and where we come from make us unique and dynamic individuals and because of this, honoring my client’s individuality is at the heart of my therapeutic philosophy. There are countless factors that shape an individual throughout their lifetime, and all deserve to be recognized. I believe that understanding these influences and examining how they have impacted us is the necessary key to providing meaningful and compassionate treatment. I aim to view my clients’ stories through an intersectional lens that explores how their different identities have come together to influence their distinctive life experiences. Therapy is not one size fits all, and it is because of this that I work passionately to collaborate with my clients in tailoring a unique treatment plan that works for them and their specific needs. I strive to cultivate a secure, accepting, and comfortable environment in which my clients can trust that they will be heard, respected, and treated with the utmost compassion.

My primary areas of interest lie in LGBTQIA+ issues, Self Esteem issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Depression and Grief. I believe that a skilled therapist should have a large toolbox and as such I seek to find creative ways to integrate multiple modalities into my client’s treatment. Some of my specific modalities of interest are Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

I have experience working with a wide variety of backgrounds and populations. Specifically, I have worked with clients who have suffered from traumatic brain injuries, helping them to overcome obstacles like anxiety, depression and finding meaning within new circumstances. I have led groups on the understanding and treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder, breaking down stigma and normalizing the experience. I have had the opportunity to work with clients overcoming grief, assisting them in learning how to navigate life through finding meaning in their loss. I have collaborated with LGBTQIA+ clients, empowering them to explore and understand what it means to be different in a heteronormative world and how that affects them. Additionally, I have worked in a lab that conducted research and published articles on prevalent psychological topics within the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically on intimate partner violence.