Chris Gallagher

Qualifications & Experience

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis on Addiction and my Master’s degree in Christian Counseling, both from Grand Canyon University.

My Call to Christian Counseling

I have always loved helping people and I knew that I wanted to become a Christian counselor when I worked with a Christian counselor in high school before undergoing a dangerous surgery.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

My wife and I are very active in our community and church. We love going on hikes, playing golf, and inviting people over to play board games.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chemical Dependency
• Coaching
• Counseling for Children
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma
• Weight Loss

Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural and common emotion that can get in the way of life. When anxiety strikes, we tend to feel stuck, out of control, and overwhelmed. Many people will try to handle these symptoms by either ignoring them, using substances to numb the pain, or even distracting themselves temporarily. These ways of coping may feel good in the moment, however, these methods are not actually fixing the root issue. During our sessions, my approach would be to find the root cause of the problem and to identify both what is causing you to feel anxious as well as any signs and triggers for your anxiety. We will work together to find healthy coping strategies as well as to find the root of what is causing your anxiety so you can live free from the chains of anxiety.

Chemical Dependency

Addiction is a serious issue that negatively impacts many areas of an individual's life. Coming from a family where substance use addictions were present, I have seen how detrimental substance abuse can be. There are countless reasons why someone can become addicted to substances, but I wholeheartedly believe that Jesus Christ's redemptive powers know no limit and He can save anyone from their addictions. During our sessions, we will address what substance has control over your life and will look at how this addiction has been impacting your life. We will create goals for your sobriety and ultimately work towards a life free of harmful substances and one that you can be proud of.

Counseling for Children

I have been a camp counselor for The Navigators for three years and have led the children's ministry team at my church for two years. While working with children, I have been amazed more times than I can count on how the Lord can use them. Children are the future of our society and are capable of much more than many give them credit for. In today's age, children are being exposed to inappropriate material through both their school's curriculum as well as social media. My approach when working with children will focus on structure while also empowering them to have a big impact on their own treatment plan. I will aim to understand who your child is, and utilize their strengths in order to help solve the issues present. You can expect your child to be heard and safe during the sessions and for the Lord to be taught and present.

Sex and Porn Addiction

Sex is a beautiful and good creation from the Lord that was designed for a man and woman through the covenant of marriage. This has been tainted by the fall of mankind, and in today's culture, the sad reality is that “sex sells.” Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and society has chosen to embrace sexual sin rather than fight against it. Sexual sin will often cause individuals to feel shame, guilt, and anger, which only makes it more difficult to seek help. In our sessions, we will work together to find the root of this issue and create a healthy living routine freed from lust and temptation.

Spiritual Development

The Lord used Hebrews 12 in the Bible to kickstart my faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12 illustrates our lives as a race with many obstacles in the way. Verses 1-2 tell us that we need to lay aside every weight and sin that clings to us, and to run the race with endurance. Our lives are a race, and Jesus is the finish line. Once a person truly puts their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, then the sanctification process begins. Our whole lives should be dedicated to imitating Jesus' character while He was on earth. A race will have its obstacles, but those hurdles don't change the goal ahead. During our sessions, we will address your current relationship with Jesus Christ and continue to work together on becoming more and more like Jesus in every aspect of our lives.

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):

• Mill Creek – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
• Everett – Fridays and Saturdays
• Online (WA Only) – Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for Individuals and Couples 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 most 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.

Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction may be added for credit card payments.