Patrick R. Hoolahan

Dr. Patrick R. Hoolahan (he/him) is a Clinical Psychologist (Psy.D.) who is passionate about working with clients who need intensive help with complex and challenging situations, especially those who have been marginalized or invalidated by previous attempts at treatment. Dr. Hoolahan has experience with in-patient drug and alcohol rehabilitation, in-patient hospitalization, co-facilitating full-fidelity Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) groups, counseling in a mental health focused correctional halfway house, and performing psychological assessments with an assertive community treatment team in inner city Philadelphia. In private practice, he has continued his focus on adults (16 and over) with trauma, complex trauma, addiction, and personality disorders, as well as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, thought disorders, OCD, and panic attacks.

Dr. Hoolahan strives for a professional but informal style of therapy that is strengths-based, validating, and affirming for each client as a person while being rooted in the science of psychology. He likes to blend evidence-based, research-supported therapy with a warm, supportive and occasionally humorous style that encourages growth, healing, and building skills to cope with a challenging world. Dr. Hoolahan prioritizes treatment that is directive and focused with mutually agreed upon goals and uniquely tailored by both client and therapist to focus on who each client wants to be, how to get there and how to overcome what is getting in the way. The goal in therapy is to create a safe space for healing but also a brave space for growth and creating a life worth living full of meaning and joy. Dr. Hoolahan works especially well with adults who have a history of prolonged abuse or trauma, combat veterans, survivors of institutional abuse, domestic violence survivors, troubled teen industry (TTI) survivors and first responders.

Specialties

Dr. Hoolahan’s areas of expertise include individual therapy with adults 16 and over with trauma/PTSD, Complex PTSD, addiction, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, thought disorders, mood disorders, panic attacks, OCD, physical, emotional & sexual abuse, and individualized coping skills and strategies for many of life’s challenges. Dr. Hoolahan is LGBTQIA+ affirming.

Treatment Modalities

Dr. Hoolahan uses a variety of therapeutic modalities with his clients focusing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), especially Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), as well as influences from Existential Psychology. He also focuses on specific treatments and protocols, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD, Exposure and Response Prevention (ExRP) for OCD, Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Harm Reduction for substance abuse, as well as mindfulness, grounding, and DBT informed interventions.

Education

• B.A. Government and International Politics, George Mason University, 2006
• M.A. Psychology, Widener University, 2017
• Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, Widener University, 2019
  • Dissertation “Pre-Existing Vulnerabilities for Developing PSTD and Substance Abuse After Combat Trauma”

Licenses and Certificates of Completion

• Licensed Psychologist Virginia License #: 0810008871
• Licensed Psychologist Pennsylvania License #: PS0179178
• CBT/ACT Concentration Certification, Widener University, 2019
• Certified Veterans’ Behavioral Health, Center for Deployment Psychology, 2016