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Chris Schad

MSW, LICSW

Clinician
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Chris counsels positive coping and adaptation to grief and loss and is passionate about supporting clients through life transitions and sharing tools for healing. She specializes in gerontology and has worked with older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers in the health field since 2006. Empathy and compassion guide her practice. Chris recognizes that establishing trust and connection are essential for building therapeutic rapport. She uses a strengths-based, person-centered, and trauma-informed approach. Her clinical focus includes working with people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Whether you are experiencing a personal loss or stress from a change in health, career or a major relationship, navigating your feelings and responses to these experiences can be supported through counseling. Chris has been trained in a verity of modalities and theories and may use elements from Mindfulness-Based Therapy, Guided Imagery, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy during sessions.

After graduating with her Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Washington in 2021, Chris worked in hospice as a Medical Social Worker for several years. Chris completed an internship at the Seattle VA and has worked with Veterans and their families since 2020. She is an advocate for healthcare equity for Transgender Veterans and gender non-conforming folks.

Chris grew up on the east coast, mostly in Tampa, FL. She has called Olympia home since 2013 and loves this region for the magic of the sea, forest and mountains. Chris enjoys reading, gardening and playing with her daughter and two husky mix rescue dogs.

Education

  • University of Washington, Master of Social Work, Integrated Health & Mental Health Concentration
  • University of South Florida, Bachelor of Arts, International Studies, Certificate in Asian Studies