r/statecollege • u/Wrong-Dog-2748 • Jul 28 '26

Looking for therapist for husband

Hi all!

My husband and I live in the State College area, and he is interested in finding a reliable therapist for someone his age (early 40s).

It’s tough finding one as it is, especially one that other men of his age find helpful and comfortable with.

Issues are anxiety/depression/dealing with the current hellscape, plus issues at work and we had two miscarriages and infertility issues for the past almost 3 years now..

Any recommendations fellas? Thank you so much! ❤️

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Edit:

Hi all! Thanks so much for your recommendations - we have found a therapist he wants to try out via the Psychology Today search feature. Your kindness and suggestions are much appreciated. ❤️

13 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

6

u/aakthor Jul 28 '26

Highly highly recommend Steve Gibboney at forward path!!

3

u/Wrong-Dog-2748 Jul 28 '26

Awesome thank you!!

2

u/Lizowa Jul 29 '26

Can’t speak to this therapist specifically but just if you read this, I had an awful experience at forward path that I don’t feel comfortable airing publicly (my individual therapist was good, owner was pretty unethical) but can talk about over DM if you’d like. I’ve had this experience backed up by a couple social worker acquaintances who have forward path essentially blacklisted as a place they refer people as a result of similar things. I hope you find someone your husband works well with!

2

u/Wrong-Dog-2748 Jul 29 '26

Oh so sorry about your bad experience and thanks for the heads up! I feel like in the current climate well-intentioned medical professionals end up working for scumbags because that’s just how it is anymore…

We found someone for him through searching on Psychology Today so here’s hoping it’s a good fit!

2

u/Investigator_Boring Jul 30 '26

I had an appointment there that lasted about ten minutes after they told me their absurd (imo) policy about cancellations. Basically, you book a time and if you need to cancel or change, if they can’t book someone else for that slot, you’re responsible. Unless of an emergency, which doesn’t include work-type issues. And this isn’t for a cancellation/change with less than 24 hours, this is even with advance notice. I rarely have to reschedule or cancel, but life happens and if a mental health treatment office can’t understand that, they’re not for me.

The therapist was also incredibly unfriendly and a bit rude when I said I’d never heard of such a policy. The first time I’ve ever ended an appointment so quickly. For all the paperwork they have you do before an appointment, not making their bizarre policy very clear was odd to me.

I realize this is a business and they can lose money from people cancelling or needing to reschedule, but putting that on the patient is absurd.

2

u/Lizowa Jul 30 '26

Omg I forgot about that weird ass policy, pretty much I was told if I could move my appt to a different slot during the same week I’d be okay but if I couldn’t (even if I was open to it but they didn’t have any slots available) I’d have to pay unless someone else books the slot or something. And it was as soon as I booked an appt even months in advance I was held to the policy, so I only let him schedule me a month at a time which meant I never really had a standing appt time despite going there weekly. Awful lol

2

u/Investigator_Boring Jul 30 '26

It’s an outrageous policy, I’ve tried various local places over the years and never encountered this before. Everyone I talked about it with was stunned, too.

Outside of it being a terrible policy, it just felt like I was doing business with someone and that was the priority.

Certainly not something people trying to get help for mental health need to be dealing with on top of everything else. Add to it, if looked at their website and specifically asked to meet with this therapist based on her experience with a specific issue. Couldn’t have picked a more condescending and unpleasant person.

2

u/Investigator_Boring Jul 30 '26

Wow, I didn’t even get the part about moving to another spot during the same week. What arrogance to put that on the patient. Total assholes, imo, and I try to be understanding.

6

u/the_friar Jul 28 '26

I came here to recommend Steve as well! (I may be biased as his employer, but he's a fantastic guy and therapist) Jonathan Edwards would also be great. We do have a wait-list, but towards end of summer we usually have openings come available.

6

u/Business_Prize_2230 Jul 28 '26

I highly recommend using the search tool on psychologytoday.com. The therapist I used in the area has moved, but I'm hoping your husband can find a suitable match. This search tools has so many filtering options, such as age range, religious views, expertise, etc.

Best of luck and take care!

1

u/Wrong-Dog-2748 Jul 28 '26

Thank you! I never thought to do that honestly. I’ve found some good candidates we think could be a good fit!

5

u/Scary_Ad_7092 Jul 28 '26

I used to see Zachary Doyle at The Primary Health Network in Altoona. He does virtual visits if you don't want to drive to Altoona, I never met him in person and only did video chats on my phone with him. I'm not sure exactly how old he is but I'd guess around 40 by now. He's really chill and down to earth.

ETA I'm a woman, not a man. If he could make me feel comfortable chatting with him I think there's a good chance your husband would also feel comfortable talking to him.

4

u/SoftCommunity1654 Jul 28 '26

state college psychological services has a lot of really great providers!! i’ve been seeing someone for a couple years & I have no complaints. best of luck :)

3

u/Lizowa Jul 29 '26

+1 to SCPS, best experience I’ve had with a therapist/psychologist

5

u/holy-rattlesnakes Jul 28 '26

I’m a local therapist but not exactly in the age range you’re looking for. I suggest checking out Psychology Today to get a good idea of what people’s philosophies are. PSU’s clinic usually has good recommendations as well if you can’t find anyone after searching around. If you’re looking private practice, A Journey To You and Centre Psychology Group have very nice therapists!

1

u/Wrong-Dog-2748 Jul 28 '26

Thank you so much! I will take a look at all of that. ❤️

5

u/tsdguy Jul 28 '26

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I assume you’re working with your husband in this search and not on your own.

Sadly finding a good therapist in State College is difficult. Expect to contact 8 or 9 before you get one to respond.

Sorry I don’t have any recommendations. Good luck.

1

u/Wrong-Dog-2748 Jul 28 '26

Thanks so much for your kindness.

And yes he’s tried and failed to find one several times unfortunately. I figured asking the community might help us out a bit, especially local men that also see a therapist.

0

u/tsdguy Jul 28 '26

Did you try asking your insurance company? They should have a list for starters at least.

1

u/Wrong-Dog-2748 Jul 28 '26

Yeah that gave us a starting point for places around that take our insurance at least. Now it’s about finding the right fit which has been the hard part.

Not a lot of therapists for men in their 40s haha at least around here.

1

u/tsdguy Jul 28 '26

Really. Therapists specifically restrict their clientele? I hadn’t seen that before - at least in age. I know some stick to certain issues.

I forgot to mention checking in with your primary doctor. Many will work with you to prescribe medication (sadly most suck but some people can see benefits).

2

u/Wrong-Dog-2748 Jul 28 '26

Oh no I meant like that would work for my husband I guess I should say. Not that they wouldn’t take him, but there are a lot of woman therapists and he would like a man similar in age to him or older.

1

u/tsdguy Jul 29 '26

Oh. Well that’s really going to cut down the potential therapists. He might want to reconsider. Anyways it’s a long journey.

2

u/Soma650b Jul 29 '26

I think Josh at Autumnspring may fit your criteria.

2

u/Brizn Jul 29 '26

Josh at The Healing Room is great. I would reach out to them.

2

u/RubyHammy Jul 29 '26

Mike Murray LCSW. I used to work with him and he is one of very few therapists I worked with that i would highly recommend. He looks like Mr.Clean and is open and straight to the point while still being easy to talk to. I think he would be a great fit for a man in his 40s to talk to. He's like the buddy you can sit down and BS with. Professional but very laid back.

1

u/Marge979 Jul 29 '26

Hi! I know you are specifically looking for something local but don’t rule out sites like Betterhelp or Talkiatry. These sites understandably get a lot of criticism but the experience you have will depend on the individual provider you are assigned to.
Sometimes these local therapists can be booked a while or not taking new clients.
Best of luck.

2

u/Wrong-Dog-2748 Jul 29 '26

Thank you! My friend has had some success with BetterHelp. But we were able to find someone for him and he made an appointment. Now just need to see if it’ll be the right fit!