Chris is confident that positive change requires an inclusive, non-judgemental, nurturing environment. Chris’ career in behavioral health began in 2009, following an internship in Child Protective Services and completion of his Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the University of Montevallo in Alabama. Chris began employment as a social worker for the Alabama Department of Human Resources, following completion of his BSW. Duties included intake interviews, comprehensive family assessments, case plan development, foster care-adoption case management, and crisis intervention. Chris earned his initial social work license (LBSW) and served as a chairperson for the University of Montevallo’s Social Work Professional Advisory Committee before making his decision to enroll in graduate school to complete his Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Alabama. Chris’ MSW areas of focus included: clinical assessment-diagnosis, human behavior in the social environment, social advocacy, therapeutic techniques (family systems, person-centered, cognitive behavioral approach), and advanced social policy analysis. Following an internship where Chris received the opportunity to work with adults with intellectual disabilities, Chris completed his MSW and returned to Child Protective Services as a senior social worker. Following this experience with the Department of Human Resources, Chris began employment as a residential instructor at a residential facility in Alabama where he provided direct support services to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Chris concurrently earned his LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) credential during this time as well. Following completion of his LICSW, Chris began employment as a Public Health Social Worker for the Alabama Department of Public Health. Chris provided family planning clinical services at county health departments prior to relocating to Massachusetts and eventually to his current status as a mental health therapist in West Virginia.
In addition to Chris’ role as a therapist, he volunteers for Shepherd University (WV) Bachelor of Social Work Program and Salisbury University (MD) Master of Social Work Program as a Field Supervisor.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Antisocial Personality, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant Personality, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Dependent Personality, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, First Responder Issues, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Hoarding, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Intellectual Disability, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
AL LICSW 3851C
WV LICSW DP00945530