Joel Terry

The pressure to perform flawlessly, the irregular schedules, the time away from family—the life of a professional pilot is unlike any other. You're trained to manage complex systems and handle immense responsibility, but where do you turn when the stress of the job, or the challenges of life, start to feel overwhelming? You know you need to talk to someone, but the fear of how it could impact your medical certificate and your career is a significant barrier. I get it. Before becoming a therapist, I was on the path to becoming a commercial pilot, having earned my Private Pilot License and Instrument Rating. I understand the unique culture, the pressures you face, and most importantly, the legitimate concerns you have about seeking mental health support. My practice is built to be a confidential, informed, and safe space for you to land, sort things out, and get back to your life, both in and out of the cockpit. My approach is practical, goal-oriented, and built on your existing strengths—much like a flight plan. We’ll use evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy to develop concrete skills for managing challenges. We can also explore approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS), helping you understand the different "parts" of your internal crew—the pilot, the parent, the worrier—and how they can work together more effectively. For relationship challenges, we can utilize an Attachment-Focused lens to strengthen your most important connections on the ground. You are the pilot in command of your life; my role is to serve as your trusted co-pilot and navigator in this process. Your career is paramount, and we will always operate with that in mind. Our sessions are completely confidential, and my primary goal is to provide you with support that can prevent a mental health concern from becoming a career-impacting issue. I stay current on FAA guidance regarding mental health and am familiar with programs like HIMS. While I am not an AME and cannot offer aviation medical advice, I can help you understand the landscape and prepare for any necessary conversations with your AME. If documentation is ever needed, I can provide a professional summary of our work. We navigate this together, with your privacy and career as our top priorities. You don't have to navigate these challenges alone. Whether you're dealing with burnout, feeling disconnected from your family, or just know that something isn't right, taking this step is a sign of strength. It's about proactive maintenance for your most important asset: you. My commitment is to provide you with the support and discretion you need to feel and function at your best.