Self Esteem Therapists in Santa Rosa, CA

I partner with psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and case managers to provide whole client care. I accept most insurance coverages. Our sessions can be in-person or online.

Greetings! My name is Chris Bongardt and I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I know that it takes courage to seek counseling, especially when it comes to challenges in your personal life and relationships. I provide a collaborative process with clients who are hoping to explore challenges and make positive changes in their lives. I offer a safe, empathetic and non-judgmental environment to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. My therapeutic style is engaged and interactive and incorporates theory, experience, compassion, teaching, resourcing, intuition, strength-building, skill and humor. I seek motivated clients interested in making positive changes.

Are you feeling that you’re not able to truly be yourself around your family, friends or your partner? Does it feel like there is not enough space for your wants and needs when you’re with others? Or maybe you’re wondering, who am I outside of work or my relationships? If so, you’ve already taken a major step in looking for a therapist to support you. I specialize in working with feelings of low self-confidence and low self-esteem, dysfunctional family dynamics, codependency, and creating and maintaining boundaries.

We are born to love and be loved. Yet, difficult work, home, or health challenges, high sensitivity, introversion, rocky relationships, relocation, or unresolved childhood issues can make us feel unloved, resulting in depression, anxiety, stress, mistrust, grief, anger, loneliness, or low self-esteem. I provide a safe haven to explore your innermost feelings, thoughts, experiences, desires; I want to hear your story. I listen attentively, acknowledge your feelings, and gently identify/examine self-defeating thoughts and behavior patterns, causing suffering. We will develop and practice ways to reduce stress and anxiety, diminish depression, increase self-confidence, and enhance well-being.

Are you struggling with anxiety or depression? Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed with work or life transitions and need support to manage the stress? Are you struggling with internal pain, grief and sadness due to a chronic illness or loss of a loved one? My goal is to create an environment that is supportive, safe, promotes self-growth and healing. I use certain therapeutic approaches to help meet your needs and goals for therapy. I also provide Advance Care Planning services and help to facilitate difficult conversations for patients and their family/caregiver.

If you've been holding in your thoughts and feelings, hoping they just go away, and don't feel that you have an outlet, they'll likely come out in ways that impact your self-esteem and your relationships. You've likely been trying to solve your problems on your own for a while now but have realized that you need some help. I meet my clients where they're at using evidence based treatments tailored to meet your unique needs. I'm confident that we can work together to understand the causes of your struggles and address them with long-lasting results.