Meet Jeff Yocom, LCSW
Founder of Thrive Men’s Counseling
Why I Started Thrive Men’s Counseling
Before becoming a therapist, I was a husband, a father, a computer programmer, a writer, a team manager and an entrepreneur. (Not to mention a huge fan of college basketball, Star Wars and Marvel Comics.) I chose mental health as a new career in my 40’s because seeking help with issues lingering from difficult childhood experiences often left me feeling like an square peg that mental health professionals were trying to fit into round holes. Over time, I realized that the most helpful therapists were the ones with professional training and personal experiences that helped them connect with me, understand my needs, and apply therapy techniques that matched me as an individual.
As a therapist, I sought training and experience that would help me connect with and be helpful to a wide variety of clients. But I noticed that many male clients seemed especially comfortable with me because my experiences as a man helped me understand theirs. I also learned that many men avoid therapy because they worry about being misunderstood or judged by a therapist. Some had experiences with therapists who made them feel that way.
I started Thrive Men’s Counseling to provide a place where men can enter therapy confident they will be heard, understood and helped. Obviously, no two men are exactly alike, and no therapist can be the perfect fit for every male client. But if you are looking for a therapist with the right combination of professional and personal experience to understand and assist you, I encourage you to give Thrive Men’s Counseling a try.
I’m happy to answer any questions you have about Thrive or therapy in general. To learn more about how Thrive can help you, use the form at the bottom of this page to request a free phone consultation.
My Approach & Values
I believe my job as a therapist is to help you achieve your goals and address your concerns. That begins with listening to you so I can understand your values and challenges. Next, I offer information about factors that may be affecting your situation and suggestions about therapy approaches that could be helpful. Then you and I work together to create a plan for addressing your concerns in therapy.
The techniques we use and the time required for therapy will depend on the specifics of what we hope to accomplish. Based on each individual’s needs and preferences, treatment can include one or more of the therapy methods.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps many people manage problematic emotions and behaviors by working with the thought patterns that trigger them.
- Psychodynamic Therapy can help clients who want to explore their thoughts and feelings on a deeper level.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapies are powerful tools for treating underlying trauma that may be contributing to unpleasant emotions or undesired behaviors.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques can help men develop life-improving skills and habits.
- Mindfulness techniques help many men calm their minds, bodies and emotional states, often increasing their overall contentment.
My Experience
- Launched Thrive Men’s Counseling in 2023
- Mental Health Therapist at Crossover Health, an innovative healthcare company providing integrated medical care for individuals and organizations (2021 to present)
- Therapist at Renew Counseling Services, a trauma-focused group practice serving children and adults in Louisville, Kentucky (2016 to 2023)
- Therapist and Clinical Unit Manager at Seven Counties Services, a community mental health agency serving Louisville and surrounding Kentucky counties (2013 to 2017)
- Intern and Therapist at Wellstone Regional Hospital, a behavioral health hospital serving all ages in Southern Indiana (2011-2013)
- Prior to entering the mental health field, I had a successful 23-year career in publishing. I began as a writer, editor and publisher at the Cobb Group, which published newsletters for computer users, programmers and IT professionals. Later, I was part of the founding executive teams for two successful Internet startups, TechRepublic and IT Business Edge, where I served a variety of roles in product development, editorial and marketing.
My Education
- Advanced Psychotherapy Certificate (One-Year Post-Graduate Program), The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy at Bellarmine University (Now at Loyola University Chicago)
- Master of Science in Social Work, specialization in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, University of Louisville
- Bachelor of Arts with Honors, Psychology Major, English Minor, University of Louisville
Therapy on Your Terms
Individual Therapy
Get a therapist who “gets” you. That means he has the professional and real-life experience needed to understand your life, your goals and your challenges.
Virtual Therapy
All sessions are virtual, so you can see your therapist from the privacy of your own home or office. Wear sweat pants if you like. Just make sure you have stable WiFi.
Online Learning
COMING SOON! Online Mastery Challenges help you learn essential skills in less time, with better retention and at a fraction of the cost, compared to in-session education.
How much will therapy cost?
Insurance
Thrive Men’s Counseling is in network with several insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, BlueCross BlueShield, Optum and United. Network participation and insurance benefits vary by state and client’s specific plan.
Fees & Payment
The fee per session varies by insurance plan. Before treatment begins, you’ll provide a credit, debit, FSA or HSA card, which will be charged after each session for the fee or copay owed after any amount paid by insurance. The out-of-network fee per session is $130.
Schedule a Free Phone Consultation
See if Thrive Men’s Counseling is a good fit for you with no cost or obligation. Send the info below, and we’ll contact you to schedule your free phone consultation with Jeff Yocom, LCSW.
(502) 329-8934
You can also schedule a free consultation or ask questions via telephone. Give us a call any time!
If you are in an emergency, please call 911 or 988 (The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or go to the closest hospital emergency room.