Chris Bartkowiak, M.Ed. LMHC

Over the last 25 years as a therapist, I have realized how listening is an art form. My approach is to get to the core issues as quickly as possible and provide you some relief in the first session in an atmosphere of confidentiality and non-judgement. You will know very quickly whether we are a good match. You are unique therefore each session is custom designed using the counseling techniques that will work specifically for you. My practice provides traditional counseling,CBT, lifemental coaching, mindfulness ,EMDR in a safe comfortable setting. I work with adults dealing with communication issues, midlife issues,existential crisis, anger, PTSD, grief, transgender issues, confusion, inability to control emotions. My fees are based on a sliding scale depending on what you can afford and you determine that. The advantage of the sliding scale or self pay is that the sessions do not become part of your medical record unless you choose them to be.

Recently I have moved from Jacksonville, Florida to the western mountains of North Carolina. I am still counseling clients from Florida virtuallyphone and life coaching clients from around the world. My life experiences include: Polish immigrant at the age of six and living in a cold flat apartment in Yonkers, New York in the sixties, to a middle-class home in Orlando, Florida in the seventies. Serving in the US Army Military Police stationed in Germany were at the age of twenty I was investigating traffic homicides. Nine years on the Orlando Police Department from 1981-1990 when crack cocaine first hit the streets. Divorcing my first wife and the police department within 6 months, being totally burnt out at that time and experiencing multiple PTSD symptoms. Working as an independent sales rep covering Florida and Georgia that specialized in Art, nature, multicultural, metaphysical products in the nineties while working on my Masters in Counseling. I have been fortunate to travel around the world and currently have twin young adults who are dual nationals. Six years ago I had a pulmonary embolism with A-fibs which caused me to spend 7 days in intensive care. That experience allowed me to reevaluate my life and to practice what I preach. I am comfortable at this stage in my life not seeking but attempting each day to be more in the moment.