Psychotherapy with Chad
In-person in Corvallis | Online therapy in Oregon
My path to becoming a therapist began about 15 years ago when I first experienced sustained phases of peace, deeper joy, and increased compassion, by way of being taught how to be truly present.
I learned to be more present by way of meditating at silent, multi-day meditation trainings. The sense of inner peace, joy, and gratitude I discovered there sparked a desire to help others experience similar transformations.
This led me to train in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with inspiring psychotherapists who taught me how I could assist people in finding greater peace, purpose, agency and joy—first through meditation and later through psychotherapy.
I’ve been helping people overcome challenges and move toward their goals with psychotherapy since 2017. I hold a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and am a LMFT in Oregon. I've also trained in several evidence-based approaches, including enhanced CBT (Level 2 Certification from the Feeling Good Institute), Internal Family Systems, and Acceptance and Commitment therapy.
Welcome
As a therapist, I bring empathy, curiosity, and authentic presence to every session.
I consistently provide thoughtfulness, genuine interest, and a respectful approach to ensuring mutual accountability in the therapeutic process. My approach is gentle, yet engaging; creating a therapeutic space that is supportive and non-judgemental, with occasional and appropriate, lighthearted humor.
Establishing a trusting relationship is fundamental to effective therapy, especially when working through the self-criticism, guilt, and shame that can burden us as humans.
My Therapeutic Approach
I believe that successful therapy is both deeply individual and rooted in proven methods that help people heal and grow.
My approach integrates several evidence-based modalities, always tailored to what works best for each person's unique situation and goals.
Core Philosophy
People often become stuck due to excessively engaging in rigid forms of thought, avoidance and other maladaptive behaviors. Such patterns once seemingly ‘worked’ in the short term; however, they often increasingly fail to meet a person’s more current and broader needs.
Through mindful awareness and compassionate exploration, clients can develop new ways of relating to their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Clients can then begin to pivot to more core value-aligned and functional behaviors.
My Values
Authenticity, caring, curiosity, competence, and commitment guide every aspect of my therapeutic work.
I welcome diversity regarding race, gender identity, ability, religion, sexuality and neurodiversity.
I believe in creating a space that is genuinely supportive without being judgmental, where natural human struggles with self-criticism and shame can be met with understanding rather than more criticism.
Therapy works best when both client and therapist can be present, engaged, and honest about the complexities of being human. These values shape how I approach each session - with genuine interest in each person's unique experience and a commitment to finding what truly helps them move forward.
Primary Modalities
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Drawing from my meditation background, I help clients develop present-moment awareness and self-compassion. This foundation often reduces the intensity of difficult emotions and creates space for more intentional responses.
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We explore the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, identifying patterns that may be contributing to distress and developing more helpful alternatives.
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This approach focuses on psychological flexibility and values-based living, helping people move toward what matters most to them even in the presence of difficult thoughts or feelings.
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We work with different "parts" of the psyche, helping clients develop self-leadership and compassion for all aspects of themselves.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Outside the office, I stay active with mountain biking, basketball, and pickleball, and love exploring the outdoors through hiking, camping, and river rafting. I’m an avid basketball fan and find joy in playing music with friends and attending sporting events with my family.
These activities have taught me the importance of balance, presence, and connection—lessons that inform my therapy practice.
Through my own life challenges, including the loss of dear family members, I've learned the power of being present with my breath, thoughts, and feelings. It wasn't until my 30s that I truly understood what being "present in the now" even meant and how transformative it could be.
These personal experiences and years of practice have deepened my ability to authentically validate and support others' experiences, orientations, and difficult emotions. I'm able to help clients address unmet needs while seeking greater clarity and functioning as they work toward their goals.
My Approach to Therapy
In my practice, I focus on:
Creating a supportive environment where clients can explore emotions without judgment
Collaborating with individuals to understand their unique struggles and identify paths forward
Helping people connect their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to their core values and intentions
Supporting the development of healthier forms of self-compassion, accountability and functioning.
Remaining curious, present, and dedicated to each person's growth throughout our work together
I find deep fulfillment in witnessing clients reduce and ultimately stop believing self-critical thoughts like "I am not good enough", "I don't deserve to feel better", or “there’s no point in trying any more today, I’ve failed.”
There's nothing more rewarding than seeing someone engage more fully with the activities and relationships they once avoided, finding greater happiness, confidence, and motivation to stay connected to what matters most.
