ADAM WADE-GARRETT,
MA, LMHC

Contracting Licensed Mental Health Counselor

So many of us struggle with feeling out of place in the world. Sometimes it seems that with every new day comes a new message that we are inadequate, that our core self is not enough to be loved, worthy or desired. Even though we do not come into this world feeling as though we are broken or less than, far earlier than most realize, we are taught in ways subtle and not that we must be different than what we are in order to be loved. We cannot be too loud, too energetic, too confident, too awkward, too vocal, too timid, or too excited…and piece by piece we internalize these judgments as truth and learn that we must suppress them in order to be wanted. But what happens when the child who couldn’t sit still isn’t allowed to leave their seat? What happens when the teenager who excitedly shares their poetry with a friend is met with shame or ridicule?

We develop defenses to protect those parts of ourselves, to prevent further rejection. And In the absence of knowing how to process these overwhelming feelings we become obsessed with either escaping or controlling them. Over time, these strategies, these fundamental denials of the self, turn to depression and anxiety.

But being built a little different shouldn’t mean that you’re destined to feel this way forever. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a way of doing therapy that emphasizes that the main cause of our struggles is not some deficiency in our core self but rather is in the well-meaning defense mechanisms we created to protect that core from further pain. IFS operates from the fundamental assumption that your core self, unburdened by the judgements which suppress it, is not only adequate and capable…but is deeply lovable.

In my practice, I specialize in working with those for whom the system was not built to work. The neurodivergent, traumatized, nerdy, queer and/or polyamorous can all find respite in my office knowing that I am not here to push you into pretending to be “normal.” I am not here as an agent of a broken system that constantly tries to convince you that you are the problem. I am here to help you understand why the person that you are is enough and that radical acceptance of all your eccentricities and quirks is the first step towards building the life that works for you.

You are only ever going to be good at being yourself. Let’s figure out who that is and why the world should have you in it.

Client Focus & Specialties: 18 and older

Internal Family Systems Level 1 Certification

Education
Masters in counseling psychology: Western Seminary (specialized training in faith and spirituality)
Bachelor of Arts in psychology: University of Southern Mississippi

A Little About Me…
Forever a card-carrying geek (I do have a card, you should ask me to show it to you sometime), I prefer to spend my free time playing Magic: The Gathering or Dungeons & Dragons when I’m not sampling my wife’s latest Keto concoction or doing whatever it takes to make my son laugh.

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About : About Me

Services & Fees

Accepted Insurance: Kaiser Permanente, First Choice, Partners Direct, and Pacific Source insurance.

Rates may vary for counseling services based on your insurance and payment preferences. For more information on insurance policies and payment options, see here. Otherwise, feel free to reach out and we'll make sure all of your questions get answered.

Individual Counseling

Individual Counseling is where people come to solve problems, grow, and change their lives in the direction that they think is best for them and their families. When people are stuck and they don't know how to stop certain behaviors, counseling can provide the skills they need to get them where they want to go in life.

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Supervision

Supervision is a space for new and developing counselors to grow in their clinical work and professional identity. Whether you're working toward licensure or seeking extra support, supervision offers guidance, feedback, and encouragement as you build skills and navigate the complexities of counseling work.