Everett Buddenberg

Everett is a dedicated therapist and Navy veteran who served two tours during the Reagan administration, both on the East and West Coast. After completing his military service and navigating his own personal journey, he found his calling in the field of counseling, where he has been making a significant impact since 2018. His inspiration to become a counselor stems from his desire to help others overcome addiction and trauma, drawing from his own experiences growing up in an addictive family environment.

With a counseling philosophy rooted in helping clients see hope and possibilities, Everett believes in providing education and instilling a sense of purpose in life. His approach is characterized by motivational interviewing, building strong rapport with clients, and using a combination of solution-focused therapy and trauma-informed care. He specializes in working with mental health and addiction clients aged 17 to 99, employing a variety of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, solution-focused therapy, and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).

Everett holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and a master’s degree in Addiction Counseling. Although he initially planned to become a Chaplain, he realized that counseling was a better fit for his passion to help others. He has worked with hundreds of individuals in both private and not-for-profit inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation settings, providing Christian counseling, high school mental health counseling, family counseling, and outpatient counseling. These experiences have shaped his counseling practice by enhancing his understanding of diverse client needs and refining his therapeutic approaches.

Everett is particularly adept at working with clients who are seeking answers to life’s challenges and who are motivated to find solutions. He fosters a calm and inviting atmosphere, making clients feel as though they are talking to a trusted friend. His goal is to be a supportive adjunct to their struggles, offering a space conducive to healing.

In his sessions, Everett focuses on setting SMART objectives—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Whether it’s helping clients reduce anxiety through mindfulness practices or assisting them in maintaining sobriety through holistic, community-based, or pharmacological means, he is committed to achieving measurable outcomes. His approach often involves practical tools such as journaling, coping strategies, and structured goal-setting to help clients normalize their lives and get back on track.

Known for his active listening skills, Everett ensures that clients feel heard and understood. He employs cognitive restructuring, role-play, and mindfulness techniques like box breathing and grounding exercises to help clients navigate challenging moments. His clients often describe him as attentive, understanding, and an exceptional listener. Some of his favorite phrases to share in sessions include: “Don’t quit before the miracle happens,” “This too shall pass,” and “If you want something you never had, you must do something you’ve never done.” His guiding mantra is, “It’s One Day at a Time.”

Continuously committed to professional development, Everett stays informed by reading research articles from scholarly sources and exploring new insights on trauma and PTSD. While he hasn’t yet contributed to raising mental health awareness in his community, he recognizes the importance of staying connected to the latest developments in his field.

Everett also values the convenience of telehealth as a tool for connecting with clients when time constraints arise. He occasionally incorporates online games into sessions to ease the transition into more challenging discussions, ensuring that clients feel comfortable and engaged in their therapeutic journey.