Samuel J. Gaspard MA, LPC

“It’s not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves.”
-Sir Edmund Hillary

As a mental health professional working with children, adolescents, and their families since 2021, an avid hiker for much longer, and a once at-risk teenager, I find that the quote above to reflects challenges we may face with mental health concerns.

Sometimes in life, it can feel like you’re climbing uphill, breathing heavily, and hearing your heart thumping in your ears from the effort you’ve put in so far. The path ahead may look steep and winding, which can leave anyone’s internal compass spinning while navigating the path ahead. Like the different trails we can explore in the world, there are different challenges that we may encounter as individuals and families in life.

For some, the mountain in their life may be adjusting to transitions in life, grief, or post-divorce, or the trail may challenge them to develop coping skills to manage the overwhelming feelings of anxiety, depression, or trauma. Other’s journeys may be shorter, needing to identify their strengths they can use to meet their challenges in life. On these varied trails, I have enjoyed walking alongside my clients and/or their families to while charting a path towards their goals in counseling. While my counseling approach is eclectic, drawing from strength-based, attachment theory, and solution-focused modalities, I rely on a foundation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in my work with clients. As a Christian, I am comfortable including spirituality and religious beliefs in my work with clients, however it is not a requirement. If you feel that I would be a good fit for yourself or your child, it would be an honor to speak with you and begin navigating your counseling journey together!