Christopher Byrnes

Chris earned his Master’s in Counseling through Denver Seminary. He has spent much of his career working with serious mental illnesses, with a focus on addictions, relationship issues, and crises.
In addition to his own practice, Chris has worked within hospitals, jails and a homeless shelter. He has taught addictions treatment at the undergraduate level, as well as supervised dozens of new counselors into their own licensure.

The way Christopher approaches counseling is, first-of-all, recognizing the privilege that it is to enter into another person’s struggle. Relying on the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation, Chris is always looking for ways to support the client, as well as to challenge him or her. Such feedback has to be true, and it has to be meaningful.

Between the sessions, homework is designed to reveal what is missing. Sometimes what is missing are details within the story, and sometimes what is missing is the practice of new skills. Practice does not make perfect, because frequently what was practiced instead reinforced the problem – and so now the new practice will feel awkward or unsteady.

Chris hopes that most of what brings a person into counseling can be worked through within in 6-8 sessions. New problems may be recognized along the way, but not always. The counseling process is not a lifetime commitment even though, beforehand, it may feel like it.

Chris is currently accepting new clients. Chris is In-Network with BC/BS. The fee for a 50 minute session is $145 (with a $5 discount if using cash or check to avoid credit card convenience fees).

Availability:

Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at the main office in Chattanooga.
Thursdays at the satellite office in Cleveland.