About

About Me
Thomas Whitt, MA, LMFT is a therapist specializing in individual, couples and family therapy. Thomas has worked 40 years as a School Psychologist and 4 years in private practice as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in NYS. Thomas has enriched the lives of school children and their families for over 40 years. He graduated with an advanced certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rochester, Department of Psychiatry in 2017. Beginning in 2016 he worked 3 years as primary mental health therapist with Rochester Regional Health and was licensed to practice Marriage and Family Therapy in New York State in 2019. He opened a part-time private practice in Canandaigua, NY in 2018.
Thomas became a level 3 trained Gottman Couples Therapist. The Gottman model for couple's work is an internationally recognized evidenced based therapy model for couples. Clients seem to connect well with this thoroughly researched model over the last 40 years. The Gottman model provides practical/real life- based skills for rebuilding communication, restoring intimate connections, and recovering from deep emotional wounds in couples.
In addition to treating individuals with depression and anger management, Thomas is also trained as a specialist in working with Childhood and Adult Anxiety. He specializes with childhood anxiety working with kids and parents to reduce the symptoms of separation anxiety, social anxiety, and the emerging challenges with School Attendance and Refusal Behaviors. He recently completed training with the School Refusal Training Institute (SRTI) of Dr. L Scharfstein, PhD, Rockville, MD and became a trained SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) provider for parents. SPACE, designed by Eli Lebowitz of Yale University is the only current evidenced based treatment for the parents of anxious children which improves the outcomes for children who are not appropriate for medication or participation in CBT treatment themselves.
Thomas has been married 40 years. He and his wife raised 4 children in the Finger Lakes Region of NY and now have 9 grandchildren. He enjoys white water kayaking and canoeing, playing banjo and guitar, running, cabining and grandparenting. Thomas is a ADK 46er summer and winter and he section hikes the Appalachian trail (Maine, NH) and Vermont Long Trail.
Thomas is a different kind of therapist. He is both old and young. calm and excited, hopeful and pragmatic, clinical but real. He does not treat a diagnosis but rather people. He works to know you. Thomas draws from his Christian faith and his life experiences with 12- step programs to provide his clients with the best possible counsel to achieve their desired change. Thomas can help you be your "better person", thrive, and make life and relationships worth while again.