- Career concerns
- Coping with change
- Coaching support
About Patrick
Patrick Schmitz is an Iowa Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 30 years of experience. He works with adults who are carrying stress, anxiety, depression, career concerns, or are coping with life changes and decision points. He also lists coaching as part of his work.
Patrick draws on a long career that spans clinical practice and leadership roles in behavioral health. That background gives him a mix of practical problem-solving and attention to how life circumstances shape feelings. He talks through what’s happening now and what can change next.
In sessions he focuses on concrete steps people can take to reduce overwhelm and regain clearer thinking. He will listen for patterns around control, communication, codependency, and struggles tied to family or aging. He also addresses substance use, eating-related issues, and challenges linked to divorce or blended families when relevant.
Patrick has experience supporting people affected by disasters and first responder stress, and he brings knowledge about autism and fatherhood issues to conversations when those topics arise. He includes forgiveness work among areas he helps people face.
His practice is grounded in evidence-based therapeutic techniques and practical approaches rather than long theory talks. People meet to identify small changes, try them out, and check what helped. To begin, he asks people to describe current concerns and goals so sessions stay focused and useful.
How therapeutic methods translate to online sessions
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques are the core of Patrick's work. One common approach is problem-focused therapy, which looks at current difficulties and identifies practical steps to change behavior and reduce distress. This method suits concerns like anxiety, stress, and career decisions by breaking issues into manageable actions.Another frequently used way is trauma-informed care principles, which pay attention to past events that shape how people respond now. This helps when past hurt, disasters, or first responder stress affects daily functioning. Both approaches emphasize concrete skills and regular review of what works.
Finding the best way to work together is part of the process. Patrick will help clients decide which techniques fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That decision is collaborative and may change as progress is reviewed.
The original biography does not list which session formats are offered. Before booking, confirm the available online session types. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example shorter check-ins during a break, avoiding travel time, or choosing phone over video when bandwidth is limited. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework to remote sessions so the work stays practical and relevant.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, career issues, coping with life changes, and coaching needs. He also lists focus areas such as substance use, eating issues, family problems, aging concerns, and forgiveness.
How would he approach feelings of guilt or shame?
He uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques and practical conversation to identify patterns and next steps. Sessions focus on understanding the feelings and trying small changes to reduce their impact.
What is his professional background?
He has 30 years of experience in clinical practice and behavioral health leadership. That includes work with trauma-informed care and organizational settings.
What credential does he hold and where does he practice?
He is an Iowa LMHC, which stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and he practices in Iowa.
Are sessions available in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.