Patricia "Paddy" Doherty

Life is like being on a trail, and finding on the trail that there are difficult spots and easy spots.. It is up to you to determine how far you walk during the day, and where to camp for the night.

However, with strange trails and no maps, a guide is needed to help you find your way. This is the role of the counselor, and this is what I do. Together, we can find the right path for life’s challenges, and achieve goals that promote growth and overall wellness, along with finding your true self.

I have unique and alternative qualifications with therapy and counseling. My approach to therapy is integrating many different theories concerning depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, grief and loss, geriatric, life transitions, life coaching, career counseling, and many other issues. My focus is with Adults who need guidance through the path of life, Veterans. Elders, and Special Needs Population.

Clover is Grace Counseling’s Therapy Dog, and is my co-therapist. He is an Australian Shepherd who can help guide you through life’s trailblocks with his empathic and sassy attitude. When we are not at Grace, we are either in our garden, hiking the trails, or on our ministry work. Clover and I have been called to ministry work where we share our love to assisted living facilities. In the future, with additional credentials, we are being called to assist in hospice work and end of life facilities.

I am very passionate about alternative forms of therapy that allows the whole of a person to experience Nature, who is a tremendous healer. Horticultural therapy is a connection to nature by facilitating the sensory experience through the power of the garden. Forest therapy is absorbing and grounding with the animals and trees while exploring our purpose in life. Both horticultural therapy and forest therapy teaches mindfulness and helps minimize trauma by connecting with the natural healing of plants with the healing process of therapy work. Animal therapy is a hands-on approach where clients are given the space to project and analyze their situations, make connections, and find their solutions that are personally experienced in conjunction with intellectual understanding with animals.

I am also very passionate about Career Counseling. Career Counseling develops individuals for an understanding of the world of work in order to make career, educational, and life decisions at any stage of life.

I believe that everyone strives to become successful and to grow. I believe that changing negative thoughts to more appropriate feelings help increase the quality of life and the ability to make choices that result in healthy, positive lives. I believe that people are self-determining and have control over their behavior and choices. I believe that all people have goodness and, given the right environment, strive towards self-actualization. I believe that all people have the will and the ability to change their lives and actions by finding meaning and value.

I have experience in Outdoor Education with a Field Biology and Forest Work emphasis, and hold a Master’s Degree in Outdoor Education. I also hold a Special Education Master’s degree specializing in Learning Disability focusing on the biological factors of the Special Needs population along with trauma and crisis work of special needs students. This experience extends to the psychological needs of the military, both in the transition to civilian life and active duty.

Clover holds his AKC STAR Puppy and his AKC Canine Good Citizen certification.