Peter Howard-Snyder

Marriage and Family Therapist Intern|Clinically Supervised

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. My primary goal is to understand what brings you to therapy and what you hope will be different as a result of our work together. We'll talk about what has been going on in your life, what challenges you're facing, and what you've already tried. I am interested not only in the problem itself, but also in who you are outside of the problem—your relationships, strengths, values, and the experiences that have shaped you. I also understand that beginning therapy can feel vulnerable. There is no pressure to share everything immediately. We move at a pace that feels comfortable while still working toward meaningful progress. By the end of our first session, my hope is that you leave with a sense of being heard, a clearer understanding of how we might work together, and some initial ideas about where we can focus our efforts moving forward.

I've always been fascinated by people—the stories they tell about themselves, the relationships they build, and the ways they make sense of their experiences. My undergraduate studies in psychology and philosophy deepened these interests and sparked questions about how people create meaning, navigate challenges, and change over time. After college, I worked with children and families and saw firsthand how much our relationships influence our well-being. I became increasingly interested not just in helping people manage difficult situations, but in understanding the larger patterns that contribute to those struggles. I found myself drawn to conversations about growth, connection, and change. These experiences ultimately led me to pursue Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy. What continues to inspire me about this work is the opportunity to walk alongside people during important moments in their lives. I believe that meaningful change happens through relationships, and therapy can provide a unique space for honest reflection, new experiences, and lasting growth.

I believe therapy works best when goals are created collaboratively. Rather than telling clients what they should work on, I want to understand what matters most to them and what they hope will be different in their lives. Early in therapy, we'll spend time exploring what brought you in, what feels stuck, and what a meaningful change would look like from your perspective. Sometimes clients arrive with very clear goals. Other times they simply know that something isn't working anymore. Both are perfectly okay. As we work together, we'll translate those concerns into goals that feel concrete, personal, and relevant to your life. We will regularly revisit those goals, celebrate progress, and adjust them as new insights emerge. I view therapy as an active process. Just as growth in the gym happens through consistent practice, growth in therapy often comes from experimenting with new ways of thinking, relating, and responding both inside and outside of our sessions. My role is to help you identify where you want to go and support you as you move toward it.