Hope+Wellness

Chris Kovacs, LCSW, LCADC

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Hi there. I’m Chris :)

Chris Kovacs, LCSW, LCADC

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed in: Virginia, Washington DC
Locations: Falls Church, VA; Teletherapy

(he/him/his)

I believe everyone can unlock their capacity to meaningfully grow, to overcome difficult times of adversity, and to move in the positive direction they are hoping for — whether it be greater emotional health and wellness, fulfilling relationships, or peace. My role as a therapist is to fully and unconditionally support you with this journey. I have a true passion for my work with each client and consider it a blessing.

Many of the clients I work with struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, or substance use. I also see many clients with relationship concerns, complicated family dynamics, or couples going through times of disconnection and stress with their partner.

I’m drawn to this work through my professional experiences, but also personal adversities I myself have faced. This feeling of shared understanding and connection is immediate with each client I work with. The biggest thing I want to let you know is that you aren’t alone in this. It can be scary to reach out, but also a step closer to feeling supported and to wholeness again.

I received my Master’ Degree in social work from Fordham University and my Undergraduate degree in psychology from Stockton University. In addition to being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I am a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a Certified Trauma Professional. I have extensive experience working in private practice, community mental health, and substance abuse treatment at various levels of care, and am grateful to have been a part of the many journeys of clients I’ve supported along the way.

Philosophy

It can be challenging to come to therapy, so my goal is to help you feel safe and supported in doing so. At the heart of our work together is the partnership between us in which we collaboratively examine some of your deepest fears, sadnesses, and anxieties. In doing so, you will be met with genuine positive regard, understanding, and compassion — no matter what you are going through. My style is integrative, incorporating high quality, evidence-based approaches including dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. I also utilize psychodynamic therapy to help you go deeper into your emotions and to gain powerful insight, relief, and healing. I believe with increased insight, we can work to build new patterns that serve us, rather than engaging in repeated patterns that work against us. With each client, I work to balance the dialectical dualities of change — for you to feel challenged all while also feeling unconditionally supported.

Specialty Areas

depression, anxiety

I specialize in treating depression and anxiety utilizing an approach that integrates evidence-based therapies including cognitive-behavioral, and dialectical behavior therapy, that is tailored for your specific needs and concerns. I also work with individuals experiencing existential depression, who are feeling disconnected and searching for purpose, meaning, and a feeling of vibrancy again.

trauma

I am a Certified Trauma Professional, providing trauma focused therapy to help you overcome the negative effects of trauma and heal. Many of the people I work with have gone through very difficult traumas and stressors to find hope and wholeness again.

Relationship concerns, communication difficulties, complex family dynamics

I have a passion for working with clients with relationship or family difficulties. I am drawn to supporting people in navigating complicated relationship and family dynamics — I understand these types of dynamics deeply and intuitively. In our work together, you will feel supported in developing new communication skills, and implementing appropriate boundaries. You will also be supported in cultivating a healthy relationship with yourself, for it is only in in developing a healthier relationship with ourselves and our emotions that we are able to begin developing healthier relationships with others.

Couples therapy

I have a special interest in working with couples who may be going through times of stress, disconnection, complicated dynamics. Couples will feel challenged while also feeling supported and understood. I find this work to be deeply fulfilling.

teens struggling with depression, anxiety, academic stress, adjustment concerns, identity, and self esteem

A lot of teens and young adults I work with struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, stress and adjustment to adulthood or major life changes. Many of them struggle with existential concerns and questions, feeling lost, or what's worse feeling alone with all of it. Many are searching for meaning while simultaneously being bombarded with life altering options and decisions. I have many rewarding experiences working with younger clients to help them navigate this trying time in their life. I help clients in their search for what is meaningful for them, while identifying and building upon their strengths, to best empower them for their future.

substance use

As a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, I have extensive experience working with those struggling with addiction and alcohol use. I understand the many unique challenges faced by those in both early and late recovery. Whether it's loneliness, shame, self-doubt, overcoming triggers, or learning to rebuild your life, I can help guide you to developing and maintain a successful recovery.

As addiction occurs within a context, I'm also experienced in working with the family members — I know the destruction that it can cause to a family and the dysfunctional family dynamics that can occur. Family members often also need to recover in their own way, as addiction/alcoholism can be a family disease.

This work has been deeply rewarding to me as I’ve had the privilege of seeing clients recover, change, and live a new and beautiful life. Please know you aren’t alone and there is hope.

Additional Areas of Expertise

Academic Stress and Pressure
Addiction
Adjusting to Life Transitions
Older Adolescents
Anxiety
Attention Problems
Bipolar
Codependency
Complex Trauma
Couples Therapy
Depression
Discovering Your Identity
Domestic Violence Survivors
Dysfunctional Family Dynamics
Existential Depression
Finding Meaning and Purpose
Finding Passion and Creativity
Generalized Anxiety
General Stress of Being Human
Grief and Loss
Identity
Life Stress
Life Transitions
Low Self Esteem
Mood Disorders
PTSD
Perfectionism
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Personal Growth
Relationship and Communication Difficulties
Self-Care
Self-Criticism
Self-Esteem
Sensitivity
Social Anxiety
Stress Management
Struggling to Launch
Substance Use
Trauma
Unresolved Trauma
Work Stress
Young Adults

Additional Certifications

  • Certified clinical trauma professional

  • licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor

more ABOUT ME

Hobbies + what I do for fun!

I can beat box and juggle! :)

Why I became a therapist

This field sort of snuck up on me. I had no intention of pursuing it — in fact, it wasn’t until I took a student summer job at a local substance abuse treatment, where I met experienced therapists, that I became fascinated by the therapeutic process and the healing that can occur. I followed my intuition to become a therapist and completely changed my life trajectory. I’m very grateful for it.

favorite QUOTES

“I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.”
— Mark Twain
“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”
— Helen Keller
“Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darknesses of other people.”
— Carl Jung
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