Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 51 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 10 more.

Chris Dougherty

LPC, 13 years of experience

Clients say this provider is

Solution oriented
Authentic
Open-minded
VirtualAvailable

About me

Do you feel like you're running at full capacity, with no room left to slow down? On the outside, you're the person who has it all together—the high-performing professional, the dependable parent, the supportive partner. On the inside, it looks different depending on the day. Maybe it's anxiety that never quite shuts off. Maybe it's depression that's crept in under the weight of everything you carry. Maybe it's burnout from roles that never let you clock out. For many, it's not just one—it's all of them, looping together until it's hard to tell where one ends and the next begins. My Approach: The Engineer's Mindset My foundational background is in Mechanical Engineering, and while I transitioned to counseling to follow my passion for human connection, that analytical, systems-based training never left me. I don't just see "problems"; I see complex systems that need adjustment, recalibration, and better fuel. How This Mindset Benefits You Most of my clients are high-achievers tired of "surface-level" talk therapy. They want a therapist as dedicated to results as they are. Together, we will: Analyze the System: Move beyond symptoms to identify the breakdowns underneath—depression, anxiety, career burnout, or family dynamics. Build a Mental Blueprint: Create a concrete plan using evidence-based tools like DBT and EMDR to process trauma and work through performance issues holding you back. Optimize Relationships: Help couples and families move from constant conflict to genuine connection. Move from Surviving to Thriving: Since 2013, I've helped clients navigate major life changes—career pivots, new parenthood, loss—and build a life of purpose and sustainable well-being.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session is about getting to know you and understanding what's bringing you to therapy. It's a chance for you to see if I can be the right fit for your journey. Together, we'll explore your concerns, set realistic goals, and create a plan to help you move forward. I'm committed to building a supportive and trusting relationship where you feel comfortable and empowered. By the end of our first session, I hope you'll feel heard, understood, and hopeful about the possibility of positive change.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Think of our first session as a diagnostic, not a deep dive under pressure. We'll spend the time getting to know you and understanding what's brought you here—the way your "system" currently runs, not just the symptoms on the surface. It's also a chance for you to see if I'm the right fit for where you're headed. There's no need to have it all figured out. This is a space to set down the "high-performer" mask and just be honest about where things stand. Together, we'll talk through your concerns, set realistic goals, and start sketching the first draft of your blueprint forward. Even if past therapy felt like it lacked direction, I understand. Together, we will combine a supportive environment with a step-by-step strategy, setting clear goals and mapping out an actionable path. By the end of our first session, I hope you'll feel heard, understood, and hopeful about what's possible. If you're ready to stop managing symptoms and start building a life that actually works, let's connect.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I do my best work with individuals who are ready to create meaningful, lasting change and appreciate a clear, confident path forward. My practice is designed to be deeply encouraging, purposeful, and centered on tangible growth in everyday life, relationships, and personal well-being. I naturally connect with analytical thinkers, motivated professionals, and busy parents who value structure, insight, and practical tools. Together, we create space to understand your experiences, strengthen emotional resilience, build healthier patterns, and move toward the life you want to lead. Using evidence-based approaches such as EMDR, DBT, and ACT, I offer a collaborative and organized counseling experience tailored to your goals. If you are ready to invest in yourself, I am here to help you cultivate greater clarity, confidence, connection, and a grounded sense of purpose.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

Anger Management

Grief

Self Esteem

Spirituality

Identifies as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

When integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into our work, my focus is on helping you understand the mechanics of your mindset. I guide clients in identifying exactly how specific thought patterns drive their emotions and behaviors, and how making small, intentional shifts in thinking can lead to massive improvements in daily life. Together, we will build practical, real-world skills to reduce distress, rebuild confidence, and respond to challenges in healthier, more productive ways. Because of its structured nature, CBT is a highly effective framework for navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic stress, and grief. True to my overall style, my approach to this process is supportive, deeply goal-oriented, and focused on helping you make sustainable progress, one actionable step at a time.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

We all experience moments where emotions feel overwhelming, leaving us feeling "on edge," stuck, or reactive. I offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills as a steady, reassuring guide through those high-intensity moments. Instead of treating mindfulness and emotional regulation like a rigid manual, we use these tools as practical ways to soothe and nurture your nervous system. By learning how to lower the internal volume when stress spikes, you gain the breathing room needed to respond to life's challenges with composure, clarity, and genuine peace of mind.

EMDR

Sometimes, the repetitive "loops" we find ourselves in whether that is sudden anxiety, emotional burnout, or persistent self-doubt are driven by past experiences that haven't been fully processed. Think of unhealed trauma as a glitch in your internal blueprint: an old event that gets stuck on repeat, keeping your nervous system locked in a constant state of hyper-vigilance or survival mode. Using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), we systematically target and resolve those underlying glitches. We don't just talk around the problem; we help your brain reprocess lingering distress so your nervous system can finally turn off the false alarms. By clearing out these old loops, you update your internal blueprint allowing you to move through life feeling grounded, safe, and in complete control.

Christian Counseling

As a Christian counselor, I provide compassionate support and guidance to individuals seeking to navigate life's challenges through a faith-based perspective. By integrating Christian principles with therapeutic techniques, I help clients achieve mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. My goal is to walk alongside you, offering wisdom and hope, as we work together to foster healing, growth, and a deeper connection with God.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

In any complex system, trying to eliminate 100% of internal friction is an impossible task. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) shifts the focus from fighting uncomfortable emotions to building true psychological flexibility. We work together to identify what matters most to you. Your core values and build a clear, actionable strategy to live in alignment with them. Rather than getting stuck in the loop of trying to "fix" every uncomfortable feeling before you can act, ACT equips you to take purposeful steps forward regardless of life's noise. It is an approach designed for those seeking long-term growth, resilience, and clarity, empowering you to build a life dictated by your values, not your anxieties.

, 119 ratings

13 ratings with written reviews

July 21, 2026

So far in our counseling journey with Chris, he was patient, had good plans for us to implement.

Verified client, age 65+
Review shared after session 1 with Chris

June 29, 2026

Very kind and thoughtful. Easy to talk to and listened very well.

Verified client, age 35-44
Review shared after session 1 with Chris

June 11, 2026

Chris is very diligent about hearing both parties in couples therapy and finding a solution that both of us can listen to and recognize. This always tends to bring back warmth between the two of us which I appreciate and it makes us want to come back to our sessions every week.

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 8 with Chris