My Scope of Practice
Who, What & How
Anxiety, depression PTSD, ADHD, OCD, and all the other mood disorders can really make life a struggle, and sometimes unbearable. The clients I see need a safe space, someone to trust, and someone who cares. They are seeking support and guidance to overcome their challenges. They are open to exploring their thoughts and feelings, and they are willing to be vulnerable and honest. They need help to make positive changes in their life and relationships. They want to gain insight into themselves and their experiences, and they want to develop new skills and strategies for coping with life's challenges. We specialize in treating depression, PTSD, anxiety, and trauma utilizing evidence-based approaches.
I also offer equine assisted psychotherapy, an evidenced based experiential therapy that helps heal trauma, emotional regulation, self-confidence, and responsibility. I provide a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to find healing and change.
I understand that seeking therapy can be a difficult decision. If you are suffering, you don't have to go at it alone. I believe that everyone deserves to live a fulfilling life, and we are committed to helping you achieve your goals.
Therapeutic Approach
Therapy begins with creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment where you can feel comfortable to share your story and express your feelings.
I utilize a variety of evidence-based modalities including:
(TI-CBT), Trauma-informed- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (CPT) Cognitive Processing Therapy, (ACT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, (DBT) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Experiential Therapy and (MI) Motivational Interviewing modalities with a trauma informed approach.
I focus on:
1. Facilitating behavioral change by helping clients develop new behaviors that can help them overcome their challenges and improve their quality of life.
2. Improving Relationships by helping clients develop better communication skills and build stronger relationships with others.
3. Enhancing coping skills by teaching clients how to manage their emotions and develop effective coping strategies to deal with stress and anxiety.
4. Promoting decision-making helping clients make better decisions by teaching them how to evaluate their options and weigh the pros and cons of each one.
5. Self-development through helping clients develop a better understanding of themselves and their needs, as well as identify areas for personal growth.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapist
My love of animals and their therapeutic value led me to become an Equine Assisted Growth and Learning (EAGALA) Mental Health Specialist. I went through extensive military culture training while working at the VA and gained valuable clinical experience working with Veterans, earning my designation of an EAGALA Military Service Provider. The EAGALA therapy model is evidence based and utilized by all U.S. Military Branches and VA Hospitals and Medical Centers across the country and is highly effective with clients who have struggled with traditional therapy. I am currently working towards my Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Certification with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship.
Scholarly Bio
Clinical Director Specializing in Experiential and Evidence-Based Practices
Chris Finch, LCSW, ASUDC, EAGALA-Certified Mental Health Professional & Military Services
Provider, PATH International Certified Mental Health Professional, is a licensed Clinical Social Worker
and the Founder and Clinical Director of Gallop To Growth, a trauma-informed equine-assisted
psychotherapy organization serving veterans, first responders, adolescents, families, and survivors of
complex trauma. Finch holds dual clinical licensure as both a Clinical Social Worker and an Advanced
Substance Use Disorder Counselor, integrating trauma-responsive psychotherapy with somatic,
relational, and experiential intervention.
Finch earned his Master of Social Work from the University of Utah, where he also completed the
University’s Addiction Treatment Certification Program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human
Development and Family Studies from the University of Utah, graduating magna cum laude with
academic emphasis in lifespan development, family systems, and attachment science.
During his clinical training, Finch completed practicum work with the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, where he served on the Suicide Prevention Team and worked directly with high-risk veterans
experiencing acute crisis, PTSD, moral injury, substance use, chronic suicidality, and complex grief. He
received specialized training in military culture, behavioral health risk management, crisis stabilization,
and veteran-specific trauma responses.
At Gallop To Growth, Finch oversees a structured clinical program grounded in the EAGALA Model and
PATH International mental health standards. The program utilizes a professionally trained therapy herd
selected for emotional attunement, stability, and sensitivity to client affect. Horses engage from the
ground—never under saddle—ensuring that all work remains consent-based, relational, and
non-coercive.
Finch specializes in PTSD, complex trauma, moral injury, dissociation, grief, attachment disruption, and
substance use. His therapeutic model integrates TF-CBT, DBT, ACT, IFS, and Solution-Focused Brief
Therapy with experiential EAGALA facilitation.
