- Client-centered care
- Practical skills
- Mindfulness informed
About Bret
Bret Patterson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Mississippi who focuses on practical, person-centered care. He helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, anger, depression, and addictive behaviors. He also supports those dealing with intimacy concerns, self-esteem struggles, codependency, and life transitions.
Before becoming a counselor, Bret spent 25 years as a paramedic and clinical educator. That background shaped his calm approach and his habit of listening first. He uses that experience to help people make clear steps forward rather than offer one-size-fits-all solutions.
Sessions begin with a short conversation to understand immediate needs and goals. Bret adapts the plan based on what each person says works best for them. He draws on client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavioral skills, mindfulness, and relationship tools from the Gottman approach.
People can expect direct, respectful conversation that focuses on practical skills and small wins. Bret aims to help people rebuild routines, manage intense emotions, and improve how they relate to others. He emphasizes collaboration and clear goals during treatment.
Therapy with Bret is geared toward steady progress rather than quick fixes. He encourages realistic steps and ongoing review of what helps. If you want to begin, the next step is a short matching questionnaire to schedule an initial session.
How therapeutic approaches fit into online sessions
Client-centered therapy puts the person's priorities first and focuses on listening, empathy, and building a collaborative plan. It helps when someone needs a therapist who follows their pace and respects their goals.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change patterns. It is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday concerns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, offers concrete skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening interpersonal effectiveness. It can help people who struggle with emotional reactivity or frequent crises.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and what feels most helpful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan over time.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It also lets people use skills learned in sessions right away in their daily routines. Licensed professionals can adapt these approaches effectively to remote sessions when it matches the client's needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Credentials
Mississippi
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Bret address?
He helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, anger, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, self-esteem challenges, career strain, and codependency among other concerns.
What is his therapy style like?
He uses a client-centered approach and combines it with cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior techniques. Sessions emphasize practical skills, clear goals, and collaborative problem solving.
How much experience does he have?
He holds four years of professional counseling experience and previously worked 25 years as a paramedic and clinical educator, which informs his steady, practical approach.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master of Science and practices in Mississippi.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with international clients?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with him?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.