Chrissy Reade, LPC, CCTP, SEP, KAP (in training)
Who I am…
The picture above represents a large part of what made me who I am today. Basketball saved my life. There is no other way around it. My early life experiences were not easy and basketball was not only something I realized I excelled at, but it helped me to survive. It gave me an escape on the days I wanted to disappear. It gave me hope when I couldn’t see any light.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved it, but I also needed it. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, because of basketball and earning a full ride scholarship. However, basketball only got me to a certain point. Eventually, the same issues that I was running from caught up to me. I had to learn how to live and be present in life without it. We all have “things” that help us survive. Sometimes they serve us and sometimes they don’t. What I learned in my own healing journey was that there was more to life than just surviving. Life is not black and white. It is full of color, it is alive, and it can be exciting. Feeling “in color” vs. in “black and white'“ is scary at first. It can feel overwhelming.
I can tell you it is SO worth it!
If there is anything I want you to know about me it is that I truly strive to be authentic. I won’t judge you. I get it and I can hold the space for you, because I have done the work. You are valued, appreciated, and capable of healing. I believe that to my core and always will.
Professionally, I obtained my Masters Degree in Counseling in Washington State in 2006. I have been in the field of mental health since I started internships in my bachelors program. That puts me doing this work for nearly 20 years! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I have worked in eating disorder treatment centers, substance abuse settings, with seriously mentally ill populations, and with individuals battling depression, anxiety, identity issues, mood disorders, relationship struggles, chronic illness, etc.
The one area I have found myself drawn to is working with individuals who have experienced trauma. This is why I have completed the three year training program for Somatic Experiencing®. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and continue to try to stay current on best practices and modalities that are most helpful with this population. I am currently enrolled in Polaris Institute’s ketamine assisted psychotherapy training program and am excited about all the potential this form of treatment offers individuals with trauma and treatment resistant depression! I am also flexible and can accommodate other forms of treatment when appropriate or requested and have training in CBT and DBT.
