Chris Pisarik
PhD, LPC, CPCS
I work with adults of all ages who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, and life-transitions. I specialize in working with adults who are experiencing various mental health challenges in relation to their careers and academic lives.
Session Details
Ages: Adults of all ages
Format: In-person & Telehealth
Fee: $150/ 50 min individual session
Payment: Private pay; superbills available for out-of-network insurance reimbursement
Availability: Currently accepting clients! Contact for current availbility
Location: Dawsonville, GA & online
Ready to connect?
Call or Text: (470) 713-4310
Email: chris@realtalkcw.com
Depression
Anxiety
Grief
Life-Transition
Work Stress & Burnout
Meaning & Purpose in Life
Career Anxiety
Career Exploration
Why I Do This Work
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” ~ Bob Marley
I love this work because it provides me the opportunity to help people discover the strength they have but perhaps never realized, or rediscover their ability to solve difficult problems and create fulfilled lives. Life is not always easy. Mental health challenges are real, and they can be very difficult to navigate. They afflict us for many reasons, some of which we may never know. Others come about because the world can be insensitive and unsupportive. Our workplaces can be toxic, our families can be very stressful, our communities can be unaccepting, and the societal “background noise" we all hear can straight up be a huge downer. Yes, perhaps we should all just be happy. But ya know what? No one provides us the step-by-step guide to happiness when we’re growing up.
I love this work because I get to work with people who have the courage to seek help when they need it, and together we get to create a step-by-step guide to a life worth living. Along the way, I relearn how strong, capable, and resilient people are. Bottom line, I get to help courageous people in meaningful ways, and I learn a huge amount from them in the process.
About me: I live in a small cabin surrounded by thousands of acres of forest with my wife and two cats. I love doing all the cliché things that go along with living in the mountains. I read, I write, I hike, I walk our winding road, I fish, I backpack, and stare out my window in deep reflection. I was a professor for many years at the University of Georgia and the University of North Georgia while maintaining a private practice. Now I get to focus my time on Real Talk Counseling and Wellness, while doing all the woodsy things.
If you think we could be a good fit, I invite you to reach out for a free 15 minute consultation call!
Who I Work With
Communities
I Support
I work with adults 18+. I am open-minded, accepting and curious about anyone who seeks me out as a helper. For many years I worked in a college town and therefore I worked primarily with college students. The cool thing about college students is that individually they represent extremely diverse communities. I have worked with athletes, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals from rural communities to name a few.
College students still seek me out for counseling, however, more and more it is middle-aged adults struggling with major life transitions, grief, career and professional work stresses, and issues related to seeking greater meaning and purpose in life.
Common Concerns
It would be easy to say that there are common challenges that people bring to me specifically, but common challenges become uncommon because people have such different life experiences, and are in such different places in life. I have clients that come to me to learn how to manage their depression, and who are also struggling with very toxic workplaces that have left them exhausted. I have clients who realize that after years of investing in a specific career, they no longer find any satisfaction or purpose in their work, they don’t know how to move forward, and they feel stuck. I have clients who are gripped with anxiety because they believe they are imposters in some aspect of their life, and are quick to discount their amazing talent and skill. I have clients who experience grief as a result of losing a loved one, and they know that talking about it helps.
If any of this sounds familiar, you don’t have to sort through it alone. We all need others, and I invite you to reach out.
My Approach
I believe in the power of relationships to facilitate change, growth, and healing. There really isn’t any space as unique as counseling. In counseling we are able to share our deepest fears, regrets, hopes, and painful experiences with a person who is skilled at listening carefully, who cares, who can challenge unhelpful thoughts and assumptions, and who keeps secrets. And when we share, we can heal and move forward.
So…as your counselor I will listen carefully to you. I will provide you support and understanding. I will challenge you to consider different perspectives, and adopt helpful ways to think about things, and I will encourage you. I will not judge you. I will keep your secrets. And we will probably do a fair share of laughing together.
I also believe in the power of engaging in behaviors that move us closer to a healthy and fulfilled life. I realize how painfully difficult it can be to create new routines, form new habits, and engage in behaviors that we know will lead to wellness. But ultimately, we not only need to process our experiences, we also need to practice living.
So…as your counselor I collaboratively set achievable goals with you. I will relentlessly encourage you as you attempt to achieve these goals. I will provide you with evidenced-based strategies and resources that you can use to meet your goals. I will also be patient as we work collaboratively to solve problems you deem important to solve. And, we will regularly reflect on the progress that you have made.
Education
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Bachelor of Arts in the Humanities and Natural History
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Prescott College, Prescott Arizona
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Master of Arts in Counseling and Educational Psychology
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University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada
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Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Counselor Education
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Credentials & Experience
My clinical background is rooted in academic excellence and specialized training, ensuring you receive the highest standard of compassionate care.
Licensing
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia.
Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor (CPCS)
National Certified Counselor (NCC)
Top Specialties & Expertise
I work with adults of all ages who are navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and stressful life transitions, especially those related to career and academic life. Whether work or other responsibilities have you feeling burned out, you're facing life decisions that feel impossible to untangle, or you're struggling with a major turning point in your life, you are not alone. These experiences are not uncommon and they can take a real toll on your mental health. I believe that counseling can provide hope and clarity, increase motivation, and build resiliency.
I am open-minded, focused, calm, and caring. I emphasize building helping relationships that allow you the opportunity to safely share your experiences, set goals, practice healthy coping skills, and utilize your potential to solve complex personal problems. I provide guidance, resources, and strategies to help you resolve your most pressing issues.
The most rewarding part of my job stems from the fact that people trust me with their most painful experiences, at times when they feel most vulnerable.
Ready to start your journey?
Taking the first step is the hardest part. Let’s navigate this growth together in a safe, authentic space.