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Christopher Rutzer

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
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Christopher Rutzer, MA, LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor
(253) 777-1997

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with individuals and couples dealing with a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, co-dependency and other relationship issues, and more. My goal is to help you understand the negative beliefs and behaviors that are keeping you from growing and experiencing the joy and life that God has planned for you in Christ. I will work with you to explore various treatment options to determine the best method and path forward for your goals and desired outcomes.

Lacey - Tue & Wed

About

My hope is that through our sessions together, you will gain practical tools and techniques to help you improve the quality of your life – relationally, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. With an open mind and a wealth of therapeutic experience, I will listen to your story and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to help you overcome the challenges you face. I am trained in EMDR and have worked with a number of clients dealing with various types of trauma, among many other struggles and conditions. I look forward to seeing how God uses our time together to grow you as a person and in your relationship with Him.

My Goal as a Christian Counselor

Some of my goals as your counselor are to help you improve the overall quality of your life and gain information and tools that will help you make healthy decisions when you’re struggling or in distress. My hope is that through our sessions together, you will be able to identify any untrue, negative beliefs you’ve been holding onto and replace them with truth in order to take meaningful steps toward recovery and growth.

What I Offer in Christian Counseling

I offer a gentle, non-judgmental approach and a welcoming environment where you can feel free to share your concerns and tackle the obstacles you’re facing. During our first session together, I will ask questions to get to know you, to determine the reasons you’re pursuing treatment, and to arrive at a diagnosis. In subsequent sessions we’ll spend time targeting specific problem areas in order to help you reach your goals and experience the healing and growth you desire.

My Approach to Christian Counseling

I am honored to serve as an instrument and ambassador to be used by the Lord for His purposes. One benefit of counseling from a Christian perspective is the innate sense of hope and the belief in a God who is able to do remarkable, transformative work in the lives of His people. As His servant, I just show up and try to do the good work He has prepared in advance for me to do, with His guidance and direction.

Biography

Qualifications & Experience

I hold a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Argosy University and an Associate’s degree in General Studies from Columbia Southern University. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) certified in EMDR therapy.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I was a I was a Corpsman in the Navy from 2008-2013. My experience as a Psychiatric Technician in the Navy led me to pursue a career in mental health therapy.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I like to read, play guitar, and hike.

Services and Specialities

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

  • Abandonment and Neglect
  • ADHD
  • Aging and Geriatric Issues
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Couples Counseling
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • EMDR
  • Family Counseling
  • Grief and Loss
  • Group Counseling
  • Individual Counseling
  • Infidelity and Affairs
  • Lifespan Integration
  • Marriage Counseling
  • Men’s Issues
  • OCD
  • Online Counseling
  • Personal Development
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Premarital Counseling
  • Professional Development
  • Relationship Issues
  • Sex and Porn Addiction
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Spiritual Development
  • Trauma

ADHD

When treating clients with signs of ADHD, I utilize behavior modification and mindfulness techniques to effectively manage ADHD symptoms. Living with ADHD requires discipline, and I help clients maintain consistency through accountability. I also count ADHD has a superpower and will gladly explore that notion with you as well.

Trauma

I have a great deal of experience working with clients affected by trauma. I use EMDR to help clients process trauma held on to by the body. I also use CPT to help process negative beliefs about the self or life that has resulted from trauma. I understand narcissistic abuse and have worked with clients who have experienced varying types of experiences.

Depression

Depression can feel like living with an invisible twenty-pound backpack around your shoulders. Depression can also result in negative beliefs about the self and about life that aren’t true. Sometimes these thoughts go away after challenging them and sometimes they come back. I will work with you to identify any negative beliefs you may be clinging to (with or without realizing it) and how these impact behavior so you can improve the quality of your life.

Anxiety

When treating anxiety, I discuss the limbic system and how it comes into play. I then discuss grounding techniques to manage the limbic system, as well as explore negative thoughts and how they fuel the anxious response. I also look for any underlying trauma that might result in current anxiety responses.

Codependency

When it comes to codependency, I discuss attachment types and how they may relate to the client. I also explore past relationship dynamics that may have resulted in current separation anxiety. I also look for possible underlying trauma that may influence beliefs held in relationships.

Payment and Forms

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

  • Lacey –  Tuesday & Wednesday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to some insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

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