Meet Your Therapist
Chanan Gilbert, MA
Growth Haven Owner and Marriage and Family Therapist
It’s so nice to “meet” you! Before we jump into all the good stuff that we are going to work on together, I want to tell you a little bit more about me. I began my counseling journey in counseling myself. During my first few years of college, I struggled with depression and life transitions as I lived alone and people important to me moved away. Things that used to be life-giving for me were no longer a source of joy. After much encouragement from loved ones, I sought help. I met with a counselor who helped me discover my true identity and gave me space to process everything I was dealing with. I remember sitting in her office asking, “Can someone who has been to counseling even become counselor?” I felt unqualified for such a calling. But in fact, quite the opposite happened. She encouraged me that going to counseling helped me better understand the client experience and thus create an atmosphere that fosters client growth. After other life transitions (like moving across the country, getting married during college, and having children while finishing multiple degrees, and many more experiences), I then took internships at Seeds of Hope Counseling and then at In Him Christian Wellness. Upon graduating with my master’s, I joined the team as a clinician for a season.
And now here we are! I have always dreamed of owning a business. I love every aspect of it (yes… even the paperwork and spreadsheets). I have such a heart for creating spaces, systems, and client care with excellence and professionalism. These things are done with intentionality to help clients feel safe, prepare for growth, and have the best counseling experience.
Working with various clients has revealed my passion for helping engaged and newly married couples set a great foundation for their marriages. Over the years I have had the privilege of working alongside my husband as he does premarital counseling for couples that he marries as a local pastor in York City. The primary way I do this is through a fun and engaging assessment called SYMBIS (Save Your Marriage Before It Starts). I also offer workshops with interactive components geared towards couples and families. Using a Biblical based framework, my heart is to point clients towards the healing and life that Jesus provides. This includes all types of relationships: with God, others, and yourself.
In my free time, you can find me leading worship at my church, spending time with my husband and three little girls, or binge-watching documentaries.
I am currently working towards licensure in the state of Pennsylvania as an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and am receiving clinical supervision from Paul A. Johns, PhD, LMFT, CFLE accordingly.
Credentials:
MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University
BS in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University
Certified SYMBIS facilitator
Certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator
Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Areas of Focus:
Marriage and Family Therapy
Individual Counseling (adults, teenagers, and children)
Premarital Counseling
Biblical Counseling
Areas related to identity, relationships, self-esteem, grief, depression, anxiety, stress, life adjustments, and spiritual issues.
