Chris Burgess
I believe therapy should be compassionate, practical, and purposeful. I work with people who feel stuck, find themselves repeating the same patterns, or know something needs to change but are not sure where to begin. My approach is collaborative and active. I will listen and support you, while also asking honest questions and helping you look at what may be getting in the way. Together, we will identify patterns, clarify what matters most to you, and take practical steps toward meaningful change. My goal is simple: to help you build a life that feels more aligned with who you are and who you want to be. Simple, not easy—but you do not have to figure it out alone.
First session
Our first session is about understanding what brings you to therapy and getting a fuller picture of your life. We may talk about your current concerns, relationships, family history, work, health, strengths, and past experiences with therapy. We will also spend time getting to know one another. You do not need to arrive with everything figured out—or even feel completely ready. By the end of the session, we should have a clearer understanding of what is happening, what matters most to you, and where we can begin.
Strengths
I bring a balance of compassion, honesty, curiosity, and practical focus to my sessions. I believe therapy can be supportive without being passive and direct without being confrontational. I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and offer honest feedback to help you look at patterns that may be keeping you stuck. I also help turn insight into action. Together, we can clarify what matters most to you, build your ability to stay present through discomfort, and identify small, intentional changes you can practice in daily life. Those smaller changes can build over time and lead to meaningful, lasting growth.
Ideal clients
I work well with people who want to better understand where they are, how they got there, and what they would like to change. You do not need to know exactly what you want from therapy or have everything figured out before you begin. You may be navigating a major life transition, recovery, grief, relationship concerns, anxiety, identity questions, or simply feeling stuck between the life you have and the life you want. If you are willing to be curious about yourself and explore what is and is not working—even if part of you feels unsure—we can begin there.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help you identify what matters most and notice whether your choices are moving you toward or away from it. We focus on small, intentional changes rather than trying to change everything at once. The goal is not to become someone new, but to live more fully as who you are and in a way that reflects what matters to you.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Sometimes different parts of us want different things. One part may want change while another wants the safety of what is familiar. I use Internal Family Systems to help you approach those parts with curiosity rather than judgment. Together, we can understand why certain reactions developed, what purpose they may serve, and how to create more room to choose your response instead of reacting automatically.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to help you become more “comfortable in the uncomfortable.” Change often brings uncertainty, strong emotions, and the temptation to return to familiar patterns. Together, we can build practical skills for managing distress, responding more intentionally, and moving through difficult moments without losing sight of what matters most.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help you notice patterns in your thinking and understand how they affect your emotions, choices, and relationships. Together, we can examine automatic thoughts and assumptions and ask whether they fit what is actually happening. This is not about forcing positive thinking. It is about thinking more clearly and deliberately so fear, assumptions, and old patterns have less control over your choices.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- ConnecticutLicense 58.017198