Dr. Chad Stiles

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adults and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship stress, sexual trauma, and major life transitions. My education and professional background are rooted in marriage and family therapy, which means I pay close attention to both the individual person and the relationships, histories, and environments that shape how they experience life.

I work with people from many backgrounds, and I have a particular focus on supporting Veterans, service members, and their partners. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling stuck in patterns they understand intellectually but cannot seem to change on their own. My goal is to offer a steady, respectful space where clients can slow things down, feel less alone, and begin making changes that actually fit their lives.

My approach is collaborative, practical, and focused on helping clients understand what is happening beneath the surface without feeling judged or overwhelmed. I do not believe therapy should feel like someone is simply giving advice from across the room. I work with clients to identify patterns, clarify what they want to be different, and build skills they can use outside of session in their real relationships and daily lives.

With individuals, I often help clients better understand anxiety, depression, trauma responses, self-criticism, emotional shutdown, and difficulty trusting themselves. With couples, I help partners slow down reactive conversations, understand the deeper emotions underneath conflict, and communicate in ways that create more safety, honesty, and connection. I try to make therapy feel direct, supportive, and useful, not overly clinical or confusing.

In the first session, clients can expect a calm, conversational meeting where we talk about what brought them to therapy, what has been difficult lately, and what they hope will feel different. I will ask questions about symptoms, relationships, stressors, background, and goals, but I do not expect clients to share every painful detail right away. We will move at a pace that feels manageable while still being clear about what needs attention.

By the end of the first session, my goal is for clients to have a better sense of what therapy with me will feel like and what we may focus on together. For individuals, that may include understanding emotional patterns, coping with trauma or anxiety, or rebuilding confidence. For couples, that may include identifying the cycle they get caught in, what each partner needs, and what would help them feel more connected and less reactive.