"Chris truly has mastered the art of compassion for his clients. Couple that with his diligence in getting down to the root of the problem with his clinically detail-oriented and holistic evaluation process. A truly real and non-judgmental NP that gets it." - RPS, Psychology Today
I hail from Columbus, Ohio, where my late father's family has deep roots in the South Side/German Village area. Our family still proudly owns the German-style brick home that my great grandfather built from scratch. On my mother's side, we have ties to the Vinton County/Hocking Hills area, providing me with the unique experience of growing up surrounded by both the tranquility of the countryside and the vibrancy of city life.
Some of my fondest memories involve driving through the hilly countryside in Hocking Hills with my maternal grandparents. Singing church hymns on our way to church or to buy Laurelville cider created a deep connection to my roots. These experiences, coupled with my early exposure to diversity, set the stage for a broader appreciation of people during my time in the U.S. Navy, where I met sailors from 51 states and foreign navies such as Greece and England. After my six years of active duty as a hospital corpsman, I immediately worked to finish my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Ohio State, where I also completed my Master's training in advanced practice nursing.
One memorable figure from my childhood is Wally Crishbaum, a blind elderly family friend. Our encounters were brief, but his warmth and inquisitiveness left a lasting impact on me. It was during those early years that I developed a genuine appreciation for connecting with people.
"... went above and beyond, making me feel good about myself afterwards even though I had just shared my darkest moments. I felt a lot of empathy and could tell that I was deeply understood. Great experience."
My first taste of employment came as a paperboy for the Columbus Citizen's Journal when Columbus still had two hard newspaper sources. What I cherished most about the job was the personal interaction during collection visits. Customers welcomed me into their homes, and by being authentic and engaging, I not only provided them with news but also formed genuine connections and earned extra tip money.
These experiences significantly influenced my choice to enter the healthcare field, specifically psychiatry. The study of behavior and understanding why people are the way they are became my driving force. Inspired by the writings of Erich Fromm, a psychoanalyst and humanist, I embraced a philosophy that values humans in a humanistic vein, incorporating it into my professional practice.
"Felt heard and understood by provider with no fear of judgement."
Today, as I continue my journey in psychiatry, I find myself asking questions in a warm and genuinely curious manner. My passion lies in seeking the truth behind human behavior and fostering connections with those I aim to help.
Since 1990, I've been dedicated to improving the well-being and morale of patients through kind words, support, and pharmaceutical expertise, starting my healthcare career in the United States Navy. My undergraduate and graduate training occurred at the Ohio State University, providing me with both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric experience. I believe in thoroughness, ensuring that you understand what to expect from medications and the holistic approaches needed for improvement.
"Christopher has a lovely demeanor. He is calm, warm and knowledgeable. I found him to be very relatable and therefore easy to share with. I didn’t feel rushed in the appointment at all, and he has been incredibly easy and responsive to reach both before and after the appointment."
My commitment extends to delivering an in-depth analysis by exploring essential information from your past. Together, we'll create a path to success, discovering concrete solutions that make sense for you. Clients appreciate my attentive listening, critical questioning, and the immediate sense of ease and warmth I provide with unconditional care.
During our time together, you will feel like the most important individual, as we embark on this journey to make a difference in our lives. Our interaction is mutually beneficial, as I believe everyone has something valuable to offer. We'll explore novel ways to reinvigorate your headspace, consistently making progress towards your goals.
"It’s so hard to find a provider (especially in psychiatry) that actually takes the time to listen intently, communicate clearly, and actually wants to hear your full background history. Even though he’s technically not a “therapist” or counselor, he still listens to your feelings and offers great advice. He’s never made us feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about our issues. Unlike the typical psychiatrists we’ve seen in the pasts, he doesn’t rush you along, act condescending, or like there’s other things they need to do. Despite him being so thorough, he’s somehow always on time for the appointment. Treatment plans make sense and are easy to follow and understand. My daughter’s first visit went so great that now the whole family sees him!"