Robert Peterson
Calm-focused therapist helping build resilience
LICSW Washington
- Experience
- 30 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Anger, Depression
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
- Languages
- English
About Robert
Robert Peterson is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Washington with 30 years of practice experience. He has spent much of his career working in international contexts with children and adolescents facing cultural adjustment, separation from family, and the stress that follows relocation.
Background and approach
That background informs his broader work addressing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, parenting and family concerns, relationship and intimacy challenges, and attention-related issues such as ADHD. His approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with client-centered and solution-focused techniques to help clients build practical coping skills and resilience.
He emphasizes cognitive restructuring and skill building to support adaptation during crises and life changes, and he draws on emotionally focused and existential perspectives when relational patterns or meaning questions arise. Robert’s LICSW credential reflects his clinical social work training and long-term commitment to therapeutic practice.
While experienced with youth adjustment in cross-cultural settings, his practice addresses a wide array of concerns including bipolar symptoms, career and coaching matters, adoption and foster care issues, aging and developmental differences, and communication and control challenges. He conducts sessions in English and provides therapy via video calls, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different preferences.
Approaches Used in Remote Therapy and How They Help
Robert integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy to help clients address unhelpful thoughts and develop practical coping skills. CBT focuses on identifying thought patterns and testing new behaviors, which can reduce anxiety, improve mood, and support recovery from stress and trauma. Client-centered work emphasizes an empathic, nonjudgmental stance to help clients explore feelings and build insight, particularly useful for relationship, identity, and adjustment concerns.He also draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy when relationship dynamics or emotional bonding are central issues, helping people recognize interactional patterns and deepen emotional understanding. Together these approaches are used collaboratively; the therapist and client decide which methods fit best based on presenting concerns, goals, and personal preference rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions, allow for consistent practice of skills between meetings, and accommodate those who prefer shorter or more frequent check-ins as part of their therapeutic work.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Licensed
Washington
Languages
English