Higgins Counseling
COMPASSION - CARING - CURIOSITY - CREATIVITY - COMPETENCE
Discover your unique path to inner peace, self-compassion, & mental well-being. Learn techniques to improve thought patterns, change core beliefs, develop healthy habits, practice assertive communication techniques, regulate emotions, and enhance relationships. Explore actions in harmony with your own values & goals. Live your most authentic & fulfilled life with meaningful purpose and creative expressions of your highest, most authentic self through acceptance, mindfulness, & connection.
About Dr. Patti-Joy Higgins
- Please note that currently my caseload is full as of Feb. 10, 2026.
About My Personal Style:
I'm an empathic listener offering you a safe sounding board and nurturing validation. This acceptance can help motivate you to prioritize goals, use healthy coping skills to self-soothe, balance mind-body connections, & guide personal change. My style helps clients to increase their positive experiences, gratitude, hope, and resilience which often translates into improved mental health. I believe many clients benefit from guidance to tap into their own strengths, talents, and inner wisdom. Often, clients learn skills such as: mindfulness, acceptance, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, changing unhelpful thinking patterns, reframing negative thought patterns, practicing assertive communication skills and healthy boundary-setting, ways to improve relationships and their own self-worth and self-esteem. I have more than 20 years of experience providing compassionate client-centered counseling and continue to enhance my learning and training.
About My Therapy Methods and Techniques:
My therapy techniques involve flexibility, cooperation and collaboration to transform your outlook, moods, habits, and relationships. I offer CBT, DBT, ACT, walk and talk in nature, animal-assisted, behavioral, art, music, somatic, psychodrama & play therapy depending on your preferences & needs. I also have experience in EMDR and EFT therapy modalities. I have taken Levels 1, 2, and 3 of Laurel Parnell's Attachment-focused EMDR and am a member of the Parnell Institute's directory of trained therapist members. I also provide psychoeducation and role playing for improving communications that may help improve interpersonal skills.
There are many techniques I use to help in family therapy and couples' therapy. These include Compassionate Communications, Attachment Theory, the 5 Love Languages, Satir family sculpting, genograms, and the Gottman Method. Clients may improve couples and family relationships by learning and using Compassionate Communications (Non-violent Communications www.cnvc.org ), or by using the 5 love languages, integrating information about attachment styles, and the Gottman Method techniques to enhance relationship satisfaction.
Taking small steps to change your thoughts & actions, you can transform your life & relationships. My clients can expect to gain hope, validation of feelings, strength to take steps forward to heal from unresolved childhood issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief. I help guide clients to change core negative beliefs, replace them with healthier beliefs, develop healthy coping skills and habits, learn & practice ways to improve overall well-being & functioning.
*I am not an MD and cannot prescribe medications. I am licensed in CA.
About Insurance, Client Portals Electronic Records and Billing:
If you would like to verify private medical insurance coverage prior to appointments and set up credit card profile for copayments, please go to Headway Provider portal or Grow Therapy portals. Please verify that Headway or Grow Therapy can process your insurance with me at provider info & insurance verification.
Most Telehealth and in-person appointments, consents, releases of information, electronic health records, and any homework assignments for reading or journaling will be maintained using Simple Practice patient portal.
Also, please check out my book Pawsitive Affirmations from Rescued Pet Therapy Dogs on Amazon.
Dr. Higgins' Blog
Learn how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies can help in managing stress effectively and improving mental well-being.
Read More
Links & Numbers to Resources
CRISIS INFORMATION: If this is an emergency, call 911 and SLO MHET Available 24/7 at 1 (800) 838 -1381 for psychiatric emergency response team (PERT) in SLO.
CRISIS RESOURCES
For free and confidential support 24/7, please contact the following: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988, or visit www.988lifeline.org.
National Domestic Violence Hotline Call 800-799-SAFE (7233), text LOVEIS to 22522, or visit www.thehotline.org.
Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor, or visit www.crisistextline.org.
SLO County Mobile Mental Health Emergency Response Team (MHET) San Luis Obispo County Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) |
Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) (t-mha.org) 1-800-838-1381 Trans Lifeline Call 877-565-8860, or visit www.translifeline.org.
Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth Call 866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or visit www.thetrevorproject.org.
Handouts, worksheets, and education to supplement therapy sessions:
CBT, DBT, ACT, & more worksheets and info - CBT Worksheets | Therapist Aid DBT info & worksheets - Resources - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Tools Psychology Tools CBT, DBT, ACT, & more worksheets & info - Worksheets - Psychology Tools CBT, DBT, ACT, & more worksheets & info - CCI - Self Help Resources for Mental Health Problems
Free Online Resources for Career Exploration:
ONET Interest Profiler:* This tool, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, helps you identify your interests and how they align with different careers. You can find it on My Next Move.
CareerOneStop Interest Assessment: CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, offers an interest assessment that helps you explore career options based on your interests.
CareerOneStop Skills Matcher: CareerOneStop also provides a skills assessment, matching your skills with various occupations.
CareerExplorer: CareerExplorer offers a variety of career assessments and tools to help you explore your options.
CareerFitter: CareerFitter offers a free career test that highlights your personality strengths and potential career matches.
CareerOneStop Values Matcher: This tool helps you identify your work values and how they align with different careers.
Keirsey Temperament Sorter: This assessment helps you understand your personality type and how it relates to different careers.
Other Agencies:
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
www.adaa.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
www.nami.org
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
www.dbsalliance.org
National Center for PTSD
www.ptsd.va.gov
BPD Central
www.bpdcentral.org
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
www.iocdf.org
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
www.chadd.org
CHILD ABUSE OR ELDER ABUSE OR IMPAIRED ADULT ABUSE REPORTING
Child Hotline Information: If you suspect there is an emergency requiring immediate intervention, call 911. To report suspected child abuse or neglect call the 24 hour Child Abuse Hotline at (805) 781-KIDS (5437) or toll free 1-800-834-KIDS (5437)
Adult Hotline Information: If you suspect there is an emergency requiring immediate intervention, call 911. To report suspected elder abuse or neglect call the Adult Services Hotline at (805) 781-1790 during regular business hours, or after business hours call (844) 729-8011.
SLO County
Behavioral Health - County of San Luis Obispo (ca.gov) SLO County Crisis and Stabilization Unit Crisis Stabilization Unit - County of San Luis Obispo (ca.gov) Tri Counties Regional Center (tri-counties.org) support services for individuals and parents of children with development disabilities
COPE IOP intensive outpatient program
Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Use Program - Cottage Health
Hospice of San Luis Obispo County | (hospiceslo.org)
GALA (galacc.org) for Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans, Questioning, Queer Support resources Resources - GALA (galacc.org)
Transitions Mental Health Association links: Workshops and Classes | Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) (t-mha.org) TMHA Growing Grounds Nursery volunteer and employment opportunities: Growing Grounds Farm & Nursery | Transitions Mental Health Association (t-mha.org) Supported Employment | Transitions Mental Health Association (t-mha.org) employment opportunities for those with mental health issues
Tri-County Regional Center for residents with developmental disorders
About Us - Tri Counties Regional Center
Communication, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Relationships Links:
The Center for Nonviolent Communication | Center for Nonviolent Communication (cnvc.org)
5 Satir Categories for Understanding Communication Styles (sourcesofinsight.com)
The Gottman Institute https://www.gottman.com
The 5 Love Languages: How to Receive and Express Love (verywellmind.com)
Your Complete Non-Violent Communication Guide (positivepsychology.com)
Every Day Health
Resilience Information
https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/resilience/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/resilience/#the-seven-cs
Mental Health Information
https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/what-are-affirmations/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/workouts-activities/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/gratitude/guide/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/tips-to-beat-procrastination https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/guide/resources/ https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/mental-health-resources/
Autism Related Web Sites -
Signs and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders | CDC
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. CDC is working to find out how many children have ASDs, discover the risk factors, and raise awareness of the signs. www.cdc.gov https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html
Is My Child Autistic? Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms Test -
ADDitude Symptom Tests [Self-Test] Is My Child Autistic? Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder If your child is acquiring social and communication skills slower than his or her peers, take this self-test for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and then share the results with a mental health professional for evaluation. www.additudemag.com https://www.additudemag.com/autism-spectrum-disorder-symptoms-test-children/?src=embed_link
Autism Diagnosis - Association for Science in Autism Treatment-asatonline.org Research indicates that early autism diagnosis is critically important. Parents and caregivers should be aware of some of the earliest signs of autism.
Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorders Online Course | Center for Parent Information and Resources The National Professional Development Center on ASD developed foundational information on Autism Spectrum Disorders including recommended and evidence-based practices for early identification and diagnosis, as well as for intervention and education. www.parentcenterhub.org https://www.parentcenterhub.org/foundations-of-autism-course/
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and families www.autismspeaks.org www.AutismSpeaks.org
SLO area psychiatrists
Peaceful Mind, Inc. - Abdellatif Anthony Aichouri, MD Psychiatrist for adults & kids/teens at Peaceful Mind, Inc. - 3220 S Higuera St #306, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Phone: (805) 541-5055 FAX: (805) 541-5075
Pacific Psychiatry - Mary Garret, NP Psychiatric nurse practitioner for adults & kids/teens at https://pacificpsychiatry.com/ at 1551 Bishop St Ste 150, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 541-6000 FAX: (805) 541-6001
Neurologist Dr. Debra Balke, MD Pediatric Neurologist specializing in ADHD & Autism, 1320 Las Tablas Rd Suite E Templeton (805) 434-0960 FAX: (805) 434-0978.
For other psychiatrists and neurologists - please call the mental health or physician referral number on the back of your insurance card and consult with your primary care physician for referrals.
