Gary Schwager, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), brings over 26 years of independent counseling experience to his practice, specializing in working with adults facing a range of mental health concerns. His expertise includes addressing anxiety, mood disorders, trauma effects, and substance use issues. Additionally, he has extensive experience supporting family members and codependents of clients. At the heart of Gary's counseling approach is a deep commitment to listening and understanding his clients’ unique concerns, fostering a process where acceptance and acknowledgment of feelings are paramount. This relationship allows clients to identify genuine changes they wish to pursue. Key elements in Gary's therapeutic work include developing personalized strategies for change, stress management, support system development, and relapse prevention. He employs an integrative and person-centered approach, tailoring his methods to match each client's personality and presenting issues. In his work with couples and families, he emphasizes the importance of healthy communication to foster conflict resolution and acceptance of differences, ensuring that behavior is understood rather than miscommunicated.