Gary Gabbard, LPC

Gary Gabbard is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) in Texas with 23 years of experience. He works with adults on issues such as stress, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, career questions, depression, addictions, grief, parenting concerns, and family matters including family of origin issues.

He began his counseling career after completing a Master in Counseling in 1997 and opened a private practice in Collin County, Texas, in 1999. Early work included contracts with outplacement firms, an alcohol treatment center, and a methadone clinic, alongside a private caseload that has included individuals, couples, and teenagers. He has also supervised counseling interns.

His approach draws on several therapy methods, including client-centered work, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic ideas, and solution-focused techniques. In sessions he helps people notice the patterns that come from their upbringing and how those patterns affect current relationships and choices.

Gary describes one focus of his work as reconnecting people with what he calls their "free child" - the sense of energy and core self that can guide decisions and lead to more engaged living. He uses practical conversations, reflective listening, and goal-focused strategies to help people make changes they want to try.

Sessions tend to cover immediate concerns like coping skills and communication, as well as longer-standing patterns tied to childhood and family roles. People who are looking to understand how family of origin dynamics shape adult life may find this focus relevant.

How Gary integrates approaches and online sessions