About chris chiros, phd lp
Sometimes the only way out is through
I’m a Minneapolis-based clinical psychologist who specializes in individual therapy treating sleep problems, caregiving stress, and adjustment to chronic medical conditions.
I hope you already know this, but:
You deserve good care
I want you to know that when you see me for therapy you are starting a journey that has you and your needs at the center. You may want a quick skills-based course of treatment with a clear goal, or perhaps a longer journey that offers room to settle in and do deeper work of changing how you show up in the world in some important way. I’m here for it!
How I work
At the core of my approach is a belief that we all have things we are great at, and we have plenty of room to grow.
Expect to be energetically supported and challenged when it’s needed. I’m not a “yes” therapist who will agree with everything you say. My goal is to get laid off because my help is no longer needed because “you’ve got this” moving forward. Whether that’s 6 sessions, 6 months, or years from now; growth in directions that matter to you is my priority.
Therapy with me is…
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Evidence based care does not mean a cookie cutter approach where everyone gets the same exact thing in the same exact order in the same exact way.
You and I determine together, as two experts (me in psychotherapy, you in you and your life), what a helpful treatment course could be.
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I’m a GREAT cheerleader. Former patients at VA have called me “warm”, “an advocate”, and someone who is deeply committed to their care. I’m also sarcastic, playful, a bit irreverent, and if we decided to have you work on something between sessions I WILL follow up.
I take my work very seriously. I try to not take myself too seriously.
All that said, however, if I don’t think I’ve got what you need for care at this time I’ll help steer you to a potentially better fit. It’s important to feel comfortable with the person you work with as you share important parts of yourself!
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Privacy is so important. I am committed to following all of the legal and ethical requirements to protect yours. And because I don’t trust it and I have concerns about the environmental impact, I will not be using AI in our sessions or my clinical paperwork (I know, I may be showing my age, IDGAF).
My Training & Education
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist
I earned my PhD from Bowling Green State University in 2007, and my emphasis there was Behavioral Medicine (which is fancy speak for psychology related health and illness).
My dissertation was on acceptance and migraine headaches.
I have over 18 years of clinical experience with the Department of Veterans Affairs, working with veterans in rural Minnesota as well as in the Twin Cities.
I’ve completed extensive training in common sleep problems (and have provided training and consultation to many other therapists to also provide insomnia and nightmare treatment).
I’ve completed extensive training and consultation in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. For people who have deeper understanding of ACT, I was jokingly known in my consultation group as “The Defusion Queen.” Yes, it’s weird to put that on a professional page, and ACT folks are weird like this. You should probably know that up front.
Although I have specialty areas, in my work with the Veterans Health Administration I was a generalist and am very comfortable working with a wide variety of human struggles.
I am well-versed in mindfulness-based therapies, and incorporate mindfulness into my practice with most clients,