LPC, 5 years of experience
I am licensed in Virginia with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, depression, & coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
In our first session together, you can expect a welcoming and supportive environment where your comfort and well-being are my top priorities. We'll take time to get to know each other, explore what brings you to therapy, and begin identifying your goals and hopes for the process. This session is all about creating a safe space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered to take the first steps toward healing and personal growth—at your own pace and in your own way.
As a therapist, my greatest strengths lie in my ability to create a safe, empathetic, and empowering space where clients feel truly seen and supported. I bring a deep commitment to evidence-based care, drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients reframe unhelpful thoughts, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to build emotional regulation and resilience, and an eclectic approach that allows me to tailor each session to the individual’s unique needs and goals. What sets my work apart is the balance I strike between structure and flexibility—offering practical tools for immediate relief while fostering long-term personal growth. Clients often share that they feel more confident, emotionally balanced, and equipped to navigate life’s challenges after working together.
My therapeutic approach is centered on meeting each client’s unique needs by providing a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space to explore their experiences. I specialize in working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, and other mental health diagnoses, using a personalized blend of evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care. By tailoring interventions to each person’s goals and strengths, I aim to empower clients to build resilience, develop healthier coping strategies, and achieve lasting emotional well-being.
Chris Elswick offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based approach that helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. By focusing on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions, CBT empowers people to develop healthier coping strategies, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and build emotional resilience. Its structured, goal-oriented nature makes it especially beneficial for achieving measurable progress in a relatively short period.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a powerful, evidence-based treatment that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to help individuals manage intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve relationships. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven effective for a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Its structured approach teaches skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, fostering greater emotional stability and resilience.
The humanistic approach in therapy emphasizes personal growth, self-awareness, and the inherent potential of each individual. Rooted in empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard, this approach creates a supportive environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions. Rather than focusing on pathology, humanistic therapy encourages self-discovery and empowers individuals to find meaning, make authentic choices, and live more fulfilling lives.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is a highly effective, evidence-based approach designed to help individuals, especially children and adolescents, process and heal from traumatic experiences. By combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with trauma-sensitive interventions, TF-CBT helps clients reframe distressing thoughts, reduce trauma-related symptoms like anxiety and depression, and build healthy coping skills. It also incorporates caregiver involvement, which strengthens support systems and promotes long-term emotional recovery.
The purpose of being eclectic in therapy is to provide a flexible, personalized approach that draws from multiple therapeutic models to best meet the unique needs of each client. Rather than adhering strictly to one method, eclectic therapy allows clinicians to integrate techniques from various approaches—such as cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based therapies—based on what is most effective for the individual. This adaptability enhances treatment outcomes by aligning interventions with the client’s goals, preferences, and presenting issues.