Charles Gross

I completed a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling at Liberty University in 2019, and I began working as a fulltime clinical mental health counselor in January 2021. Prior to that, served for twenty years in the U.S. Air Force, and also in the Higher Education field in North Carolina for the better part of ten years.

I currently work with clients ranging from age fifteen to sixty-eight. I find it very gratifying to work with adult clients who feel stuck, and who want to discover or renew their sense of meaning, purpose, and direction in life. I also find it rewarding to work with those who desire to break free from the debilitating symptoms of past trauma, and to address the intense pain of grief and personal loss. In addition, I truly enjoy working with family members who feel locked in conflict, but who also genuinely desire to improve their communication patterns and to achieve a positive breakthrough in their relationships.

Therapists are not better or different than others. To some extent, we all struggle with depression, anxiety, and grief, and interpersonal conflict. As a mental health professional, I am, as Carl Jung described, a “wounded healer” who is devoted to helping others find purpose and meaning in life, as well as practical solutions to life’s many challenges.

I believe in the uniqueness and sanctity of each human life, and in the sacredness of the counseling experience. I strive to make the counseling room a place where you can express yourself without fear of being judged, criticized, or told what to do. I also believe that each of us possesses strengths and talents that can help us lead more meaningful lives.

As we work together, I will draw upon Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and others. My goal is to establish a relationship with you that is based on trust and acceptance. We will move at a pace that is comfortable for you, but that also maximizes your personal investment.

During our first session together, I will gather relevant personal and family information from you, and we will briefly cover important guidelines regarding confidentiality, and other critical ethical and legal issues. However, the broader goal will be to give you the time and attention you need to share about yourself, and about the reasons you are seeking counseling. A common first session question for clients is, “Why here, and why now?” I will also be sure to give you the opportunity to ask me about my training, experience, theoretical viewpoint, and about appropriate personal information. Effective therapy is built on trust, respect, and relatability. It is vitally important that you feel comfortable with your therapist, and a main objective of our first session will be to give us a chance to decide if we are a good fit for counseling.