Christopher Bruton, PhD, LPC
My desire to help others has taken me from being a high school math teacher, to living and serving in Uganda, to working in child development, and now owning my own private practice. I’m grateful for the journey as I’ve been able to glean so much from the different experiences and individuals I served. Through it all, I’ve learned that I love helping people, assisting them in their personal growth, and helping them overcome obstacles to meet their life goals. I primarily do this through trauma-focused therapy approaches to assist individuals who have experienced significant adjustment disorders and/or PTSD. I also serve other clients with anxiety and/or depression concerns. I have found opportunities to help athletes with performance issues through some of my trauma-based approaches. The results have been fascinating. My next steps are to grow this practice to help more individuals in the psychology and trauma-attached issues of athletic performance.
I am married to Bobbie, who is my encourager and best friend, and who, after 17 years of marriage, is still the most beautiful soul I have ever met. She inspires me to strive to serve selflessly and joyfully in the manner that she portrays so effortlessly and authentically. Together we have three sons, Ellis, Daniel, and Asher, who are my joy and my adventure. Our house is often a mess. My children are often a challenge. My marriage requires effort and intention. We are an imperfect family, but we love each other and strive to connect with and celebrate each other. I love them and their love for me allows me to do the work I do.
How I Started
My desire to help others has taken me on a pretty eclectic journey. As a young adult, I decided that becoming a high school math teacher and coach was the way I wanted to serve others. However, the more I worked with my students and athletes, I the more I noticed the unmet need for quality mental health services through the issues so many of them endured. Through my graduate studies, I found that private practice allowed for a greater impact with these concerns, so I opened my first practice in 2013.
As I grew personally and professionally, I was offered the opportunity to serve on the board of many non-profits; one of which led to moving me, my wife, and our 18-month old son to Uganda to work with the organization and individuals they served. Closing my practice was the toughest decision I’ve had to make professionally, but working in with the non-profits fulfilled me. As our time their concluded, upon moving back to the United States (and having a wife who was 5-months pregnant) I wrestled with my desire to start a new counseling practice, but life required a different need. When offered an opportunity to work with a very successful foundation and become the executive director of their organization, I jumped at the chance and learned more about mission, service, and business. Through this, I never lost my desire to serve as a mental health counselor and founded my current practice, Etowah Counseling in 2018.
Specialties
- Adjustment Disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma and PTSD
- EMDR Therapy
- Couples Therapy