Jonathan Bannigan, LMHC

I am a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) specializing in psychodynamic therapy, with a theoretical outlook rooted in Control-Mastery Theory. My approach emphasizes the importance of understanding how unconscious beliefs, often formed in early relationships, shape your present-day thoughts, behaviors, and emotional challenges. By integrating this framework into psychodynamic therapy, I help you to uncover and challenge the unconscious assumptions that may be hindering your growth, empowering you to regain control over your life.

I strive to foster a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental space for you to explore your past and present experiences. I’m skilled at helping identify how unresolved emotional conflicts and relational patterns from early life may still be playing out today. I work with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship struggles, while guiding you toward self-understanding and long-term healing. By combining insight-oriented therapy with a client-centered approach, I aim to help you experience a more fulfilling, authentic, and emotionally rich life.

With Control-Mastery Theory at the heart of my practice, I view people as fundamentally motivated and equipped to overcome psychological obstacles and achieve their life goals. I collaborate to identify “pathogenic beliefs”—deep-seated, often unconscious ideas that were once protective but have become limiting or self-defeating over time. Through exploration, I help you to test these beliefs in the safety of the therapeutic relationship, gradually transforming how you view yourself and your world.

Central to my philosophy is a strong belief in individualism. I prioritize the exploration of your unique selfhood, recognizing the profound importance of personal autonomy and self-discovery in the therapeutic process. I believe that while societal roles and group affiliations can inform aspects of your identity, it is your personal experiences, values, and inner world that define who you truly are. This outlook encourages you to trust your own inner compass, helping you to break free from external expectations or societal pressures and craft a life that is authentically yours.

Outside of my practice, I have a keen interest in exploring the intersections between psychology and horoscopic or natal astrology, finding unique ways to incorporate these elements into therapeutic work when appropriate. I’m also an avid lover of electronic music, particularly synth-pop, electropop, and retrowave. I believe in the emotional resonance of sound and often draw inspiration from music for mindfulness and self-expression. Additionally, I enjoy unwinding with video games and delving into fantasy novels, which offer rich worlds that mirror the complexity of the human psyche. Through these personal passions, I connect with you on multiple levels, helping you navigate both the fantastical and everyday elements of life.