About Me
My approach to treatment is very much informed by how I try to live my own life. As the saying goes “teachers teach what they most need to learn themselves”. I am not a big proponent of some of earlier styles of Psychoanalytic treatment whereby the therapist gives little information to the client about themselves, and then waits passively for the patient to begin a process of “projection”. While I do think boundaries are very important within the therapeutic relationship, boundaries that are too rigid can impede treatment and create an atmosphere of distrust on the part of the client. Oprah Winfrey was once asked the question in an interview “what do you know for sure”. She was so stumped by the question that she started to use the question in her own interviews with some of her guests. So here is one thing that I know for sure after 20 years of practice: Clients cannot heal in an environment where they do not feel safe. So, first and foremost, my job is to create a therapeutic relationship that fosters a sense of safety. Once that is established, exploration of things that may have once seemed to be too frightening to look at, suddenly seem less daunting and manageable to explore. My job is to create an environment that feels safe and free of judgement, so that the client is able to explore solutions, or process experiences that may have felt too overwhelming to address in the past. Healing only takes place when human beings feel safe enough to be vulnerable, to experience and express feelings that may have long remained in the unconscious. To my thinking, the purpose of therapy is to raise consciousness, increase mindfulness, improve coping skills, and assist clients in discovering their own innate abilities and personal strengths.
Specialties
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Grief , Anger management , Self esteem , Career difficulties , Coping with life changes , Coaching , Compassion fatigue , ADHD , Aging and Geriatric Issues , Attachment Issues , Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Services Offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video
Licensing
LCSW #sw7140 (Expires: 2023-03-31)
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Chad Spencer. We don’t pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I couldn’t do it without Chad! He is very insightful, caring and a great listener. As he says he is just the mirror and most of the time I just need to look to see what is already know.
Chad is great
Excellent therapist. Listen and remember very well. Provides excellent resources. Chad really goes above and beyond and really helped me through some tough times. Can't recommend him highly enough.
Chad is amazing. He’s helping amazingly !!
The ap asked me to review, and while we’re just getting started I’m happy to submit a review of my three sessions so far with Chad Spencer. He listens, and must take excellent notes after the call because he ties things back to our previously conversations seamlessly. I appreciate his balanced perspectives and the role he will play in me processing my experiences, and then radiating a clear minded best self to the world and for my daughter.
Chad really listens to you and cares about what's going on and what you have to say, it doesn't just go in one ear and out the other.
Excellent therapist. I highly recommend Chad
OMG!!! I’m sooo grateful to have paired with Chad. He’s always attentive, he responded to my messages even when it wasn’t my day for therapy And wasn’t annoyed with me and he’s NEVER made me feel stupid about my choices. He’s given realistic solutions and he’s helping me know who I am and how to navigate what that looks like for Me. I know he can’t see everyone but I will Definitely recommend him for my friends and family because I know what he’s doing for me. Chad has been a true blessing to me, my emotions and my mental. Thank you Chad!! You’re appreciated more than you know!!!
Chad is such an empathetic and supportive therapist. I am working through issues regarding polyamory and asexuality, and Chad has been very validating of my identities. Our sessions provide me with a safe space to be unapologetically myself as I work to unwind insecurities that stem from being told my whole life (by loved ones and/or society) what romantic relationships are "supposed" to look like.
Super relatable and approaches everything in an extremely comfortable way at my own pace. Always fun and comfortable I really appreciate how interactive he is because that was my biggest concern with doing online therapy.
Chad is very friendly and is very easy to talk with.
He is honestly the best therapist I have ever had!
Chad Spencer has been of great assistance to me as an effective listener and offering observations in return. Although it has been a brief amount of time, I feel that he is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I recommend him highly.
Chad has helped immensely in the past & has been my steady compass for many follow up sessions. Highly recommend
I have never been a person to turn to therapy. I have always been the rock in my family. It took a lot for me to realize I needed help and I have to admit I was very worried and sensitive about what the process would look like. Chad has been amazing. He is knowledgeable but also personable. It is a comfortable conversation where he is providing thoughtful feedback and demonstrates a healthy way of pushing my boundaries to accept the change I am looking for. I have no doubts that this is the right course of action and I have no doubts that Chad will help me become the person I want to be.
Chad genuinely cares and wants you to succeed!
Chad is the real deal! He is so authentic and I always feel better after our sessions!
Chad is always insightful and very considerate.
Chad is very personable and easy to talk to. He has great advise with easy to follow strategies
I was very skeptical about BetterHelp when I signed up, but after filling out the questionnaire I was matched with Chad. He has been nothing but awesome and has taken the time to get to know me and understand my troubles. I still have a ways to go, but he's been very good at helping me work through some of my stress and helping me figure out what I think I need to do.
Chad has been helpful in only a few sessions. He’s down to earth and practical which I like. I’m looking forward to more sessions.
Chad is the best counselor I’ve ever had. He has it all: the skill, the experience, the empathy, and the ability to make you feel like you’re talking with your best friend instead of a therapist. Before Chad I never had that in a therapist. He’s been incredibly helpful to me the last few months, and I’m grateful for him.
He’s great
Chad has been amazing! He is very smart and gets right to the point.
Awesome listener!
The best thing about chad is he’s not a super serious therapist he makes you feel comfortable and is pretty comical. Things don’t always have to be so tense with hun and that’s the best part!
Chad is easy to talk to and provides a lot of insight. I really appreciate our conversations as it’s provided a new outlook for me.
Very responsive, supportive, and helpful for my recovery efforts!