Tikhon

My name is Tikhon. I believe everyone can find healing in an atmosphere of non-judgment, validation, and empathy. Acceptance and honesty can perform miracles. My theoretical orientation is rooted in the Humanistic-Existential approach. It means that I believe that every individual has the best expert of themselves and is in power to shape their present, future, and even the past. We all hold the key to our happiness. However, the traumas we hold, injustice, oppression, and cultural stereotypes make us feel overwise. It makes us feel powerless over our own lives. My role as a therapist is to help my clients to remember that they are in charge and support them on the path to their goals.

As an immigrant, I was exposed to different cultures. I spent two-thirds of my life in Russia and Ukraine, and the rest in the U.S. I am fluent in Russian and English. Also, I have been to many different countries and have been working with immigrants and refugees from all other the world. Those experiences showed me how people find love, support, and meaning in different ways and how beautiful this diversity is. It taught me to be culturally sensitive. A belief system, language, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc., have a major role in shaping our individuality and are principal to addressing mental health. It also taught me about the difficulties of not being part of the dominant culture and the importance of celebrating dissimilarities rather than being ashamed of them.

I recognize that every client is different and requires an individual approach. I draw from a variety of evidence-based practices to meet the needs of my clients. These include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Practices, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. Also, I lean on Emotionally Focused Therapy in interpersonal work. I believe in the power of relationships and their interconnection with mental health. Healthy relationships are the cornerstone of happiness and living a full life. We learn about ourselves through the way others relate to us. Therefore, investment in strong and beneficial relationships is an investment in yourself.

Credentials

Education

  • Masters of Professional Mental Health Counseling
  • Bachelor of Arts, Sociology