About Chad
Choosing a therapist is about finding the right fit, but often that's difficult when the culture leans toward limited self-disclosure and commonly uses a lot of technical terms which may sound “Greek” to you. I tend to be a bit more open with my clients and relate with conversational language whenever possible, so maybe that will help.
Clients often learn some things about me over time such as my love for hiking, golf, & spending time with my wife and daughter, along with struggles such as terrifying recurrent nightmares I experienced in college & how I overcame them, overcoming my nicotine habit, and general life conflicts I’ve struggled with. With time, life adventures, education, my own therapy, I’ve learned that a deeply human experience necessarily includes joy and suffering, hardship and peril, and that our literal or wakeful nightmares, when understood symbolically, are helpful for resolving conflict and overcoming obstacles to growth. Therefore, occasionally I use my own life experiences to work with clients when it’s appropriate.
I have training and experience in several modalities such as (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Motivational Interviewing) but I tend to focus less on technique in session because the research is clear that relationship and empathy are the main factors in treatment outcome. Carl Jung believed analysts (therapists) should learn everything they can about technique and then forget everything they know and just be present with analysand (client). I have ascribed to this philosophy personally and professionally as I have found nothing more therapeutic than simply being “mindful” and “deeply interested” as you share. With this approach, the most effective path unfolds spontaneously.
Modern techniques that are usually geared towards ego consciousness can struggle to help when the problem is rooted firmly in the unconscious, and especially with someone who is functioning fairly well but just feels like something is missing in life. Other times we are painfully aware of what we need to do for change, we just can’t seem to figure out how to do it, something mysterious and not easily understandable keeps getting in the way. Thus, sometimes it is better to just listen while processing with deep interest and pay close attention to our feelings, thoughts, gut, and maybe even dreams until we see a metaphorical burning bush.
Even with these convictions and leanings in my practice, modern evidence based practices are also a central part of my service delivery, and depending upon your symptoms, they can be highly beneficial and complementary to a strong therapeutic relationship. For people experiencing problems regulating intense emotions and/or getting along with others including therapists, struggling with impulsivity, feeling hopeless or empty, fearing abandonment, self-harming &/or experiencing suicidal thoughts; I’ve utilized Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) over the last ten years teaching extensive coping and interpersonal skills to dramatically improve their lives. I have extensive experience over the last decade treating individuals with serious addiction using Motivational Interviewing, and I also specialize in teaching mindfulness influenced by my own regular practice and a down to earth approachable western language utilized through DBT Skills that helps slow the mind, reduce anxiety and ground oneself in the body.
Thank you for taking the time to read more about me. I hope you learned enough to help make a decision and I wish you good luck in finding a therapist to help with whatever struggles you’re experiencing. Feel free to call or e-mail if you believe we might work well together.
If you would like some brief and more general information about me such as education and career background, click the "Clinicians" button below. Click the "Scheduling" button for more information related to making your first appointment.
Clients often learn some things about me over time such as my love for hiking, golf, & spending time with my wife and daughter, along with struggles such as terrifying recurrent nightmares I experienced in college & how I overcame them, overcoming my nicotine habit, and general life conflicts I’ve struggled with. With time, life adventures, education, my own therapy, I’ve learned that a deeply human experience necessarily includes joy and suffering, hardship and peril, and that our literal or wakeful nightmares, when understood symbolically, are helpful for resolving conflict and overcoming obstacles to growth. Therefore, occasionally I use my own life experiences to work with clients when it’s appropriate.
I have training and experience in several modalities such as (Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Motivational Interviewing) but I tend to focus less on technique in session because the research is clear that relationship and empathy are the main factors in treatment outcome. Carl Jung believed analysts (therapists) should learn everything they can about technique and then forget everything they know and just be present with analysand (client). I have ascribed to this philosophy personally and professionally as I have found nothing more therapeutic than simply being “mindful” and “deeply interested” as you share. With this approach, the most effective path unfolds spontaneously.
Modern techniques that are usually geared towards ego consciousness can struggle to help when the problem is rooted firmly in the unconscious, and especially with someone who is functioning fairly well but just feels like something is missing in life. Other times we are painfully aware of what we need to do for change, we just can’t seem to figure out how to do it, something mysterious and not easily understandable keeps getting in the way. Thus, sometimes it is better to just listen while processing with deep interest and pay close attention to our feelings, thoughts, gut, and maybe even dreams until we see a metaphorical burning bush.
Even with these convictions and leanings in my practice, modern evidence based practices are also a central part of my service delivery, and depending upon your symptoms, they can be highly beneficial and complementary to a strong therapeutic relationship. For people experiencing problems regulating intense emotions and/or getting along with others including therapists, struggling with impulsivity, feeling hopeless or empty, fearing abandonment, self-harming &/or experiencing suicidal thoughts; I’ve utilized Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) over the last ten years teaching extensive coping and interpersonal skills to dramatically improve their lives. I have extensive experience over the last decade treating individuals with serious addiction using Motivational Interviewing, and I also specialize in teaching mindfulness influenced by my own regular practice and a down to earth approachable western language utilized through DBT Skills that helps slow the mind, reduce anxiety and ground oneself in the body.
Thank you for taking the time to read more about me. I hope you learned enough to help make a decision and I wish you good luck in finding a therapist to help with whatever struggles you’re experiencing. Feel free to call or e-mail if you believe we might work well together.
If you would like some brief and more general information about me such as education and career background, click the "Clinicians" button below. Click the "Scheduling" button for more information related to making your first appointment.
When you are ready to make an appointment call us at 314-200-4482
