Peter Schmitt, LMHC, LPC, Ed.M, MA
In therapy, I work with clients who want to understand themselves and their relationships better, and use that understanding to create change. Many of my clients come in feeling stuck, whether in their relationships, in recurring arguments, or in building the life they want. Together we work to identify the patterns and behaviors that are difficult to notice on your own, and begin exploring new ways of engaging with the world and people around us.
We all have a unique lens from which we view and experience our daily life. I work from a relational psychodynamic perspective, which means we'll use your experience of relationships (including ours) to help us learn how past experiences may be showing up in your present. This can be in relationships, reactions, and even the stories we tell about ourselves. This understanding becomes a foundation for building new ways of moving through life, improving relationships, and feeling closer to ourselves.
For couples coming into therapy together, we'll work to identify the patterns underlying conflict and begin building new ones, focused on greater mutual understanding, connection, and intimacy. We'll use a Gottman Method approach to develop concrete skills for communicating constructively, helping each partner feel genuinely heard and understood by the other.
Throughout my career I've maintained a focus on working with men and male-identifying clients, queer and non-gender-conforming clients, clients living with chronic illness, and those navigating phase-of-life challenges and major life transitions.
In addition to my clinical work, I offer supervision to therapists working with individuals and couples, as well as trainings in couples therapy.
Clinical Focus
Individual Psychotherapy
Anxiety
Chronic illness
Depression
LGBTQ+ care
Men’s issues
Relationship difficulties
Substance use & recovery
Teen & college issues
Trauma
Couples Psychotherapy
Affairs & infidelity
Chronic conflict
Communication difficulties
Emotional intimacy
Parenting challenges
Premarital counseling
Sex & physical intimacy
Substance use & recovery
Training, Education & Experience
BA, New York University
Ed.M, MA, Teachers College, Columbia University
Post-Graduate Fellowship, Kull Initiative for Psychotherapy
Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1
Publications
Hillary L. McBride, Andrew J. Joseph, Peter G. Schmitt & Brett M. Holtz (2021) Clinical recommendations for psychotherapists working during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic through the lens of AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy), Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 34:3-4, 411-431.
Gray K, Anderson S, Doyle CM, Hester N, Schmitt P, Vonasch AJ, Allison ST, Jackson JC. To Be Immortal, Do Good or Evil. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2018 Jun;44(6):868-880.
Gray K, Schmitt P, Strohminger N, Kassam KS (2014) The Science of Style: In Fashion, Colors Should Match Only Moderately. PLoS ONE 9(7): e102772.
Stern C, West TV, Schmitt PG. The Liberal Illusion of Uniqueness. Psychological Science. 2014;25(1):137-144.
Permission to Play — Mental Health Match blog
How to Know When You’re Ready for Therapy — Talkspace blog
Contributor
10 Secret Therapy Lessons We Learned for Free in 2022 — Danielle Calma, Well + Good
How ‘Toxic Forgiveness’ Hurts Your Relationships and Holds You Back From True Healing — Erica Sloan, Well + Good
5 Signs Your Behavior Is Passive-Aggressive — And How To Better Communicate Your Feelings — Erica Sloan, Well + Good
Book a free consultation
Free 45-minute consultation sessions are available to help you determine if therapy can help you meet your goals. Book your free session with Peter today!
Looking to learn more before booking a consultation? Feel free to reach out, and I’ll get back to you within one business day.