Dr. Sherwin Cotler

Hello. My name is Sherwin Cotler. I am a licensed clinical psychologist here in the state of Washington. I am semi-retired now, but in the past I have been in private practice, worked at Group Health, taught at two universities, and consulted with a number of different agencies. I started my career as a child/adolescent psychologist, but in later years I moved more into the areas of anxiety, depression, panic disorders, phobias, grief issues, stress management, PTSD and trauma with adults. For several years I ran an out-patient clinic at St Peter Hospital in Olympia dealing with panic disorder, social anxiety, and phobias using a cognitive/behavioral model which basically provides a tool box of skill sets to deal the individual’s disruptive symptoms and reactions. I also helped start and direct the mental health portion of the Olympia Free Clinic over sixteen years ago, and I have continued to be a part of that valuable non-profit clinic here in Olympia. I tend to follow a cognitive/behavioral model as a basis for how I approach issues in the individual’s life; however, over the years I have become much more eclectic and have tried to incorporate a number of different ideas in order to meet the person where they are and move to a place where they feel more empowered and in control of their life. When not working, I spend much of my time in the out of doors biking, swimming, diving, boating, taking photos and volunteering for a marine non-profit agency whereby I get to be out on the ocean studying whales. At home I read, write, practice meditation and try to engage in activities that make this planet a safer and healthier place for the next generation. At this point in my life, I have been through a number of losses and situations that have tested my abilities to survive. I try to be cognizant of those experiences when I engage with those individuals who I see in my practice and in my everyday life.