Therapy done “with gusto”

noun

  1. 1. enjoyment or vigor in doing something; zest.

Meet Chris Ferrand.

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Christopher Ferrand

Licensed Psychologist—Health Service Provider

I work with people who are looking for an active therapy process that develops insight and inner wisdom, as well as tools and methods that empower people to manage difficult thoughts, feelings, memories, and life stress outside of session.

What it’s like to work with me

  • I will be listening very closely and attentively. Though I will NOT be “reading your mind,” I WILL be detecting things underneath your words that your friends and family may not pick up on. This may allow for you to see things differently, and to get feedback you might not get from "just talking about it."

  • Together we will identify and target culprits, traps, and stuck points that may be increasing and amplifying suffering in your specific circumstances and your specific problem.. This will allow me to give you targeted recommendations that address these directly.

  • I am used to working with 30 minute appointments, though have made it my mission to bring depth to visits. I make my questions count. I listen deeply. Then, I identify targets for people to choose from that are very linked to the story they told me (which makes it very clear I have been listening).

  • We will work hard together in session, though I will challenge you not to leave what you learned in the room. As an example, if you went to Lowe’s you wouldn’t pick out a tool, pay for it, and then leave the tool on the counter—you would take it with you and use it! Let’s use these tools in the real world, and if it works keep it!

  • Most people appreciate that I don’t just listen and reflect the whole time. I tend to give them radically different perspectives on their problem, and then very specific tools they can actually use. Then, we set things to make it more likely that you will remember to use them. And, because they were interesting, intriguing, and not superficial, people are often excited to use them

  • Some might wonder if rapid change would be temporary. Be curious and consider that if certain high-impact changes are made, sometimes people get better quickly. Some don’t, but some do. If we do a deep dive into your specific maintaining conditions (the different circumstances that keep things going), it is possible that together we can shake things up and create something unexpected and transformational.

  • Do you believe you can grow? What you believe and tell yourself matters. Let’s get curious about what you are telling yourself.

  • If I use language that suggests that this will take a long time and a lot of sessions this may lead you to fulfill this prophecy. But what if I (Chris, that is) use rapid change language? Meaning language suggesting you can get better, and that does not assume how long it will take. And, language that suggests belief you can get better. Might you fulfill that prophecy? Taking that further, what if you began to change how you think, speak, and what you tell yourself? What if you fulfilled a different prophecy? One that was different than the one you had day 1 of seeing me?

  • Given that I have a mind, I am capable of experiencing hard thoughts, painful memories, and unpleasant feelings. I have also known hard things. That means I have to use the very skills and methods you will be learning. My hope is to be humble, and not above you as a doctor. While it is true that I am a doctor, I am to be with you as a fellow human here to help you navigate suffering

With each new patient, I am asking myself “What would need to happen for this person to get better quickly?

I take that question seriously. I have come to believe that if certain shifts are made, sometimes people get better—and sometimes do so quickly. Not everyone will experience rapid change though some do. I assume you might be one of them. I actually ask myself “what if this person could be a rapid responder… what would need to happen?” This guides the methods and techniques we use.

I don’t assume that you will or you won’t respond rapidly with “sudden gains,” but that you might. I look at you as though you could—like it’s possible. This belief holds true even for those who have had a long and terrible journey—I still view you through the lens of possibility and opportunity for something unexpected to happen.

To be crystal clear, I actually believe this and look at people this way and plan treatment to set you up for this possibility. I help you identify methods that target the glue that holds suffering together. I look at people with curious and hopeful eyes. Now, not everyone ends up being a rapid responder, but people surprise me all the time—that’s why I believe it.

That bears the question: would you like for your therapist to look at you like that, and really believe that you could get better?

Qualities & Values

Be kind

Be compassionate

Be dependable and reliable

Be a hard worker

Be genuine/be real

Be humble

Be present and conscious to what matters

Do things that matter “with gusto” (enjoyment or vigor in doing something; zest)

Be gritty (passion and perseverance for long-term goals)

Do as you say, rather than say what to do (meaning I am to practice the very skills you will be learning, and be willing to do hard things when it matters to persist)

Have courage and be bold

Specialty

Areas

  • Common problems I am experienced with include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, different phobias, trauma and stressor-related disorders, bipolar disorder, and various stress-related concerns. I have much experience with grief and loss. I have also worked with people experiencing hallucinations. I am very used to working with people experiencing suicidal thoughts. I see people with alcohol and drug use concerns regularly.

  • One thing that is unique about me is that I have worked in a primary care medical setting since 2016 and am very used to working with a wide range of problem types. You might be surprised by the things doctors have asked me to help with that involve human behavior. Working in urban Memphis, I am also used to working with people who are very different than me, culturally, and as a result, am sensitive to matters of diversity. I am used to adapting and finding a way to be helpful in a meaningful, thorough, and non-superficial way.

  • Many looking for a therapist are looking for an expert with their problem. There is a good chance I will have experience with most problems, though if I don’t I am very quick to adapt. If needed I dig into the research, and if I cannot be helpful I assist with helping people find a referral to a specialist.

  • Anxiety disorders, grief & loss, help for physicians and other healthcare professionals

more on Anxiety disorders
grief & loss
Help for Healthcare Professionals
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY
GRIEVING A PET
MORE ON COMMON PROBLEMS

Credentials

  • Licensed since 2016 in good standing. License 3408

  • Health Service Psychologists have the education, training, and experience for the independent delivery of healthcare services. Health Service Psychologists are licensed practitioners who provide preventive, consultative, assessment, and treatment services in a broad range of settings, including independent or group practice, multidisciplinary clinics, counseling centers, or hospitals. Health service psychologists differ from health psychologists in that their practice is not confined to the treatment of problems associated with physical health or wellbeing, and differ from other specialties in that their services are delivered in the context of the doctor/patient relationship, rather than fields such as forensic psychology.

  • Regional association for local psychologists

  • West Tennessee

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I love variety in life, and my work reflects that. I see patients regularly, though also teach. Another work activity I have come to enjoy is supervising student therapists. At a given time I have 2-3 students that work alongside me

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A classroom with students sitting at tables, some using laptops and taking notes. A man stands at the front, speaking to the class. Two large screens display a video conference with a woman wearing glasses and headphones, and a man standing and gesturing in a classroom. There is a whiteboard behind the teacher, and a microphone on a stand next to him.