Dr. Russell Gaede, LCMHC

Dr. Russell Gaede is a licensed clinician based in Utah with 25 years of experience helping adults navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship challenges, grief, and other life changes. He earned a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, a post-master’s certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology - qualifications that reflect graduate training, added family systems specialization, and advanced clinical preparation. He holds the credential LCMHC (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor) and maintains active licensure in Utah under UT LCMHC 268792-6004.

His clinical approach is flexible and practical, drawing from modalities such as Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Solutions-Focused Therapy, and Humanistic-Existential perspectives while integrating other methods to meet each person’s needs. He has experience working with young adults and adults, including those facing legal system involvement, substance use concerns, mood disorders, and co-occurring conditions. He also supports members of the LGBTQ+ community and parents who are navigating related family issues.

Dr. Gaede favors a collaborative style that balances focus and a sense of lightness - he values staying engaged and occasionally brings humor into sessions while keeping therapeutic goals central. He has taught at undergraduate and graduate levels and offers sessions by video, phone, live chat, or in-app messaging depending on a client’s preference. Outside of his clinical work he competes as an Ironman triathlete, and he welcomes the opportunity to help clients find direction, coping strategies, and renewed purpose.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Dr. Gaede

Dr. Gaede commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical approach that helps identify unhelpful thought patterns and build skills to manage anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems. He also works from an Existential Therapy perspective, exploring meaning, values, and life transitions to support clients facing questions about purpose, grief, and major change. In addition, Solution-Focused Therapy is employed to set clear, achievable goals and highlight strengths so clients can see progress quickly and build momentum toward desired changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Gaede collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their goals, needs, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone appointments, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit work, family, and travel demands. This variety makes it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from different locations, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for each client.