Chris Kovacs, LCSW, LCADC

Hi there. I’m Chris :)

Philosophy

It can be challenging to come to therapy, so my goal is to help you feel safe and supported in doing so. At the heart of our work together is the partnership between us in which we collaboratively examine some of your deepest fears, sadnesses, and anxieties. In doing so, you will be met with genuine positive regard, understanding, and compassion — no matter what you are going through. My style is integrative, incorporating high quality, evidence-based approaches including dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. I also utilize psychodynamic therapy to help you go deeper into your emotions and to gain powerful insight, relief, and healing. I believe with increased insight, we can work to build new patterns that serve us, rather than engaging in repeated patterns that work against us. With each client, I work to balance the dialectical dualities of change — for you to feel challenged all while also feeling unconditionally supported.

I go beyond just your mental health diagnosis. I'm passionate about exploring your unique story and what your individual mental health concerns look like for you. I do this by actively listening, practicing open mindedness, extending empathy, and relating to you. I work to help people feel truly connected and understood on a deeper level. 

Awards & Honors

Listen Harder award (2024)

The Listen Harder Award honors one therapist in our international EAP network, who exemplifies the highest standard of deep, compassionate listening. This award celebrates the therapist’s dedication to truly hearing and understanding clients, creating a space where they feel valued, supported, and empowered.

Additional Certifications

• Certified clinical trauma professional

• licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor

Specialty Areas

depression, anxiety

I specialize in treating depression and anxiety utilizing an approach that integrates evidence-based therapies including cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical behavior therapy, that is tailored for your specific needs and concerns. Depression and anxiety can come in many forms, and can present vastly different for each individual. Getting a strong sense of what it looks like for each client I work with, and addressing it effectively, I believe is a unique skill of mine. I also work with individuals experiencing existential depression, who are feeling disconnected and searching for purpose, meaning, and a feeling of vibrancy again.

trauma

I specialize in treating various types of trauma - developmental, sexual, intergenerational, complex, and chronic trauma. My philosophy in treating trauma is rooted in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), where we focus on the dialectic of acceptance and change. I work to help my clients build acceptance and peace for what they have experienced, while also pushing for change in their trauma symptoms or behaviors that are rooted in their trauma.

I have a passion for this work given my own life journey and overcoming my own traumatic experiences. I know what it's like to have experienced terrible things in life, and while we can have very different life experiences, I do believe I'm able to relate to many of the feelings associated with your experience.

I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, providing trauma focused therapy to help you overcome the negative effects of trauma and heal. Many of the people I work with have gone through very difficult traumas and stressors to find hope and wholeness again.

ADHD

I have extensive experience and am well acquainted with the unique and diverse challenges of persons diagnosed with ADHD. The lived experience of these individuals can be especially difficult, whether they were diagnosed early or later in life — I feel well suited to help. Often, other mental health symptoms and problems can be downhill from this diagnosis. Through a person-centered approach and utilizing behavioral modalities, I can aid in new habit forming while decreasing unwanted behaviors, and increasing concentration and attention.

Relationship concerns, communication difficulties, complex family dynamics

I have a passion for working with clients with relationship or family difficulties. I am drawn to supporting people in navigating complicated relationship and family dynamics — I understand these types of dynamics deeply and intuitively — whether it's common familial roles or explicit and implicit rules in family units. In our work together, you will feel supported in developing new communication skills, and implementing appropriate boundaries. You will also be supported in cultivating a healthy relationship with yourself, for it is only in in developing a healthier relationship with ourselves and our emotions that we are able to begin developing healthier relationships with others.

Couples therapy

I have a special interest in working with couples who are going through times of stress, disconnection, a lack of intimacy, high conflict, infidelity repair, and other complicated dynamics.

I have experience working with couples in all stages of life — from early marriage to post-retirement. My approach and treatment philosophy is rooted in the Gottman method. Couples will feel challenged while also feeling supported and understood. I find this work to be deeply fulfilling.

In my work with couples I emphasize several things, including managing conflict, where I assist in implementing the necessary skills to effectively manage and resolve conflict. For high conflict couples, this is typically top priority because until we are able to improve with this, it's especially difficult to address other areas of concern.

I can assist you in building trust, admiration, and empathy for one another in the relationship. I work to help the couples I work with build fondness for one another where there was previously resentment. I believe building the capacity to understand and respond effectively to each other's bids for affection, attention, and support is crucial. 

teens struggling with depression, anxiety, academic stress, adjustment concerns, identity, and self esteem

A lot of teens and young adults I work with struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, stress and adjustment to adulthood or major life changes. Many of them struggle with existential concerns and questions, feeling lost, or what's worse feeling alone with all of it. Many are searching for meaning while simultaneously being bombarded with life altering options and decisions. I have many rewarding experiences working with younger clients to help them navigate this trying time in their life. I help clients in their search for what is meaningful for them, while identifying and building upon their strengths, to best empower them for their future.

substance use

As a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, I have extensive experience working with those struggling with addiction and alcohol use. I understand the many unique challenges faced by those in both early and late recovery. Whether it's loneliness, shame, self-doubt, overcoming triggers, or learning to rebuild your life, I can help guide you to developing and maintaining a successful recovery.

As addiction occurs within a context, I'm also experienced in working with the family members — I know the destruction that it can cause to a family and the dysfunctional family dynamics that can occur. Family members often also need to recover in their own way, as addiction/alcoholism can be a family disease.

In my work with addiction and alcoholism I do carry a 12 step philosophy; however, I don't believe recovery is limited to engaging in a 12 step program. Recovery can also be gained through religion, finding a new life purpose, hobbies, etc. In short, fundamentally changing is what's needed.  It's important to consider that your addiction is a symptom of a deeper issue. I work with you to address and heal those underlying issue(s). Honesty, Acceptance, and Surrender can be essential in this work. Breaking the illusion that you can successfully use substances/alcohol is the first step. Forgiving yourself and letting go of feelings of guilt and shame can come later. Finding new meaning in recovery - whatever that meaning is for you, is also crucial, and I seek to help in guiding you in finding that. 

This work has been deeply rewarding to me as I’ve had the privilege of seeing clients recover, change, and live a new and beautiful life. Please know you aren’t alone and there is hope.

Additional Areas of Expertise

Academic Stress and Pressure
Addiction
Adjusting to Life Transitions
Older Adolescents
Anxiety
Attention Problems
Bipolar
Codependency
Complex Trauma
Couples Therapy
Depression
Discovering Your Identity
Domestic Violence Survivors
Dysfunctional Family Dynamics
Existential Depression
Finding Meaning and Purpose
Finding Passion and Creativity
Generalized Anxiety
General Stress of Being Human
Grief and Loss
Identity
Life Stress
Life Transitions
Low Self Esteem
Mood Disorders
PTSD
Perfectionism
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Personal Growth
Relationship and Communication Difficulties
Self-Care
Self-Criticism
Self-Esteem
Sensitivity
Social Anxiety
Stress Management
Struggling to Launch
Substance Use
Trauma
Unresolved Trauma
Work Stress
Young Adults

more ABOUT ME

Hobbies + what I do for fun!

I can beat box and juggle! :)

Why I became a therapist

This field sort of snuck up on me. I had no intention of pursuing it — in fact, it wasn’t until I took a student summer job at a local substance abuse treatment, where I met experienced therapists, that I became fascinated by the therapeutic process and the healing that can occur. I followed my intuition to become a therapist and completely changed my life trajectory. I’m very grateful for it.

favorite QUOTES