Dr. Garrett A. Gilchrist, Ph.D.
Dr. Gilchrist has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Child, Adolescent, and Family treatment from Seattle Pacific University (2008) and a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Gonzaga University (2001).
He has been practicing as a licensed psychologist in the State of Washington since February of 2010. “Licensure” means that he has passed a national written exam and jurisprudence exam administered by the State of Washington.
Dr. Gilchrist began providing psychological services to patients during his masters program in 1999 and doctoral program in 2002 and he has practiced in a variety of settings, including university counseling centers, the public school system, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and mental health agencies.
Who He Treats
Dr. Gilchrist sees individuals with a wide range of concerns. He works with individuals typically ranging in age from adolescence to older adults. He incorporates a variety of treatment modalities to meet the individual needs and concerns of his patients. He also provides psychological assessment and testing for ADHD, Learning Disorders, cognitive functioning, and personality.
Therapy Approach
Dr. Gilchrist’s therapeutic approach is primarily cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic in orientation and he provides unconditional positive regard to each patient given their biopsychosocial circumstance and cultural background. He views his primary role as providing a safe and contained environment where individuals can gain stability, increase insights into themselves, and develop more positive coping strategies.
Dr. Gilchrist also believes in the importance of mind-body, holistic health and wellness and establishing healthy behavioral patterns that encourage growth, self-regulation, balance, and moderation; and his specialty areas include health and wellness practices, body image, eating disorders, addictions, and men’s issues.
What to Expect During Therapy
Dr. Gilchrist views psychotherapy as a collaborative process in which you will work together to identify problems, set treatment goals, and work together to achieve those goals.
In the first one to two sessions, your reasons for seeking treatment and concerns will be discussed, and he will gather information from you about your personal history and current life situation. Dr. Gilchrist may also request that you complete one or more psychological assessment inventories to further assist him in identifying salient issues, making diagnoses, formulating treatment goals, and developing a treatment plan.
After this initial assessment phase, a plan for addressing your goals will be discussed. As therapy begins, Dr. Gilchrist is likely to suggest readings or other activities for you to engage in outside of session which he believes will increase the likelihood of a successful outcome for you. As treatment progresses, your progress will be periodically assessed and modifications will be made to your treatment as needed.
Please know that Dr. Gilchrist is open to any suggestions you may have to make your work together more beneficial for you. Dr. Gilchrist will utilize his experience, education, and training to work with you to achieve your identified goals. However, Dr. Gilchrist cannot guarantee the success of therapy as the outcome is, in large part, your responsibility.
Your active involvement and participation in the therapy process and honest communication are crucial ingredients for achieving your identified goals.
Practice Locations: Seattle & Federal Way
Dr. Gilchrest sees patients at The Center for Psychological Health’s Seattle and The Center for Family and Lifespan Development-Federal Way locations.