Meet Chris Deussing

Chris Deussing never imagined his journey from bartending in nightclubs to becoming a renowned therapist would be so winding. “I had no clue what I wanted to do,” he confessed, reminiscing about his days as a triple major in philosophy, English, and religion.

Despite his extensive education, Chris found himself bartending in nightclubs and working in the service industry. “I was just going through the motions,” he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. But everything changed when he started volunteering with the homeless population. “It just clicked. I wanted to help people,” he said, his eyes lighting up with passion.

This newfound purpose led Chris to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2001. “Social work was the quickest path to becoming a therapist given my background,” he explained. The decision marked the beginning of a journey that would take him through numerous challenges and triumphs, ultimately shaping him into the compassionate and dedicated professional he is today.

Reflecting on this, I couldn't help but think about how many of us stumble into our career pathways. It made me wonder how many people like Chris find their path not through a grand plan but through a series of small considered steps taken in response to an experience.

Early Career on the Wards

Chris’ early career was marked by intense and formative experiences. Starting as an addiction counsellor on a lockdown dual-diagnosis ward, he was immediately thrown into the deep end. 

Working with patients dealing with both substance abuse and mental illness exposed him to high-acuity cases and taught him the importance of empathy and resilience.

While working on the ward and pursuing his licensure, Chris also pursued psychoanalytic training. “Combining different modalities felt right,” he said. “It wasn’t about sticking to one method but finding what worked best for each person.” This integrative approach would later become a cornerstone of his practice.

Despite the challenges, Chris thrived in his role. After a couple of years, he put his hand up for a clinical coordinator role, overseeing the operations of two wards. “It gave me a taste of leadership,” he said, reflecting on his time in the position. However, the broken system he worked in also left him feeling demoralised at times.

Hearing about the broken systems and the sense of demoralisation resonated with me deeply. It’s a familiar story in healthcare and many other fields, where the desire to make a difference can often clash with systemic issues.

Some people are quick to judge those in healthcare who choose not to stick around and play the role of saviour. It takes more courage to recognise the limitations of your influence and weigh that against the personal cost. Once you're running on fumes, how can you effectively help others? 

Chris spent nearly seven years in this hospital. But once he got his clinical licensure and “became more marketable in terms of the outpatient world,” he moved on to work for several outpatient clinics that took insurance. 

After only a couple of years with one company and being their highest producer, they laid him off. This came as a sudden shock to Chris.

Despite truly valuing his colleagues' expertise and his autonomy in this role, he describes this experience as a lesson learned about how many companies don’t care enough about you, the individual. It’s big business.

Building a Practice

Angry and determined to be a therapist, he set his sights on a location in downtown Philadelphia to establish his own private practice. He got an office, yet he didn’t have any clients, but he was committed to trying it for at least a few months. 

Chris’ transition to private practice was challenging but ultimately rewarding. “I literally faked it,” he admitted. Each day, he would go to the office, sit at his desk, and call doctors' offices in an effort to generate referrals. To build his network and gain traction, he offered to take people to lunch, spreading the word about his practice. His persistence paid off, and his practice began to grow. 

For about seven years, Chris operated as a sole proprietor, running a one-man business. “During that time, I was very happy and making decent money,” he reflected. 

However, his success came with some criticism from within the social work community. Some colleagues viewed him as a mercenary, believing he had sold out by transitioning to private pay. “That’s not traditional social work, right?” he remarked, acknowledging the shift from conventional social work practices.

Upon his decision to move to private pay, Christopher mused, “Yeah, a part of me can identify with that. Part of me wonders, did I sell out? I’m not sure.” This introspection led to another pivotal moment in his career.

“What ended up happening was really interesting. I remember being in the office with my colleagues and saying, ‘Yeah, I hear there’s this cold going around,’ which was such an ignorant thing to say. Then I decided, ‘I’m gonna take a couple of weeks off and work from home.’ And then, lo and behold, COVID hit.”

Chris noted that the demand for therapy surged during COVID, making it easy to transition to an online format. “The ability to be online made it very easy to build a group practice,” he explained. As a result, he scaled up quickly while many others weren’t working. He found himself working extremely hard “probably too hard” he admits, which eventually led to an unexpected transition to becoming a group practice owner. The post-COVID landscape has been interesting and somewhat turbulent as he navigates this new phase in his career.

Integrative DBT and Psychotherapy, the name he gave his practice, where he leads a team of clinicians. “We’re more of a boutique group practice rather than a big sprawling practice,” he explained. The practice focuses on using Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) in a technically eclectic way, mindfully merging it with other modalities like psychoanalytic therapy.

Chris’ integrative approach to therapy, combining DBT with psychoanalytic training, is a key part of his practice.

This approach, which he calls integrative DBT, allows him to tailor his therapy to the needs of each individual client.“Pure DBT practitioners might disagree,” he said with a chuckle. “But I believe in using what works best for the client, not sticking rigidly to one method.” 

Chris also emphasises the importance of the therapeutic relationship: “Building trust and connection with clients is crucial.” He shared with me how his personal experiences with adversity and healing inform his compassionate approach, making him identify with the ‘wounded healer’ label.

Earning a Doctorate in Social Work

But I hadn’t yet heard of how Chris became Dr D. 

Soon after beginning in the outpatient scene, Chris made a significant decision that would further shape his career: he chose to pursue a doctorate in social work. Curious about what drove him to pursue further study while practising, I didn’t anticipate the frankness of his answer: “I've always valued learning. But honestly, back then, it was ego. It’s funny how that changes and what an immature way it was to look at it”.

He explained that his humble public school roots and lack of family ties to tertiary institutions created a hunger to attend one of the best schools, the University of Pennsylvania. “I realised that I wanted to contribute more to the field, not just through practice but through research and teaching as well,” he explained. 

His doctoral research focused on the lived experiences of advanced therapists providing DBT and how they manage their own emotional responses during therapy. This research aimed to explore the emotional toll on therapists and the strategies they use to maintain their well-being while delivering effective treatment.

Balancing work and doctoral studies was no small feat as Chris continued to work full-time while attending classes and conducting research. But soon after completing the exam component, he says he got ‘distracted’ and put the dissertation aside.

Not long after pressing pause on his PhD, life threw Chris a significant curveball when he developed keratoconus, a rare eye disease that required multiple surgeries. “There were moments of doubt,” he admitted, recalling the gruelling process of undergoing corneal transplants and the long recovery periods. This period required two medical leaves and a lot of patience.

Attempts to get back into the research were met with struggle and juggle. A very supportive dissertation chair got blunt with him and said, “Chris, If you don’t finish, it’s going to be a very bad thing”. Chris explained that what she meant was, “Are you going to continue the patterns, or are you gonna do the hard work to put your foot on the ground at this intergenerational trauma that's being passed?”. He gave context to key people in his family who have created this legacy of not finishing study despite how smart and capable they are.

Despite the layers of resistance he experienced and the personal agency needed to see his PhD through to the end, Chris attributes the final surge to the birth of his daughter. There was less time, and it simply needed to be done.

After multiple setbacks, a whole lot of determination, and inner work, and 14 years later, Chris graduated with a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work in 2023.

Innovating in Therapy

At the present time, in addition to running his group practice, Chris sees a significant caseload and facilitates group therapy sessions. His passion for learning and sharing knowledge led him to create therapist reading groups, where they read and discuss academic articles. “We often move away from academic reading after school, but I think it’s important to know the theory before we can really implement and practice,” he said.

Chris has also ventured into psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, incorporating ketamine-assisted therapy into his practice. “I’ve opened up ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, which now makes up about 20% of my caseload,” he explained. This innovative approach is part of his commitment to continual learning and expanding his therapeutic offerings.

Engaging with the community has been a significant aspect of Chris’ recent endeavours. “I’ve found a lot of value in connecting with others through platforms like LinkedIn and Humans In Healthcare,” he said. “It’s a way to share knowledge, support each other, and create a sense of belonging.” 

One initiative he’s particularly proud of is a series of panel discussions on mental health topics. “We did one on men’s mental health, and the response was incredible,” he said. “People appreciated the honest and open dialogue.” These discussions provide a platform for sharing insights and experiences, helping to break down stigmas and promote understanding.

Reflecting on Personal and Professional Change

Balancing his professional aspirations with fatherhood has also been a significant part of his journey.

This newfound perspective has influenced his approach to both his personal and professional life.

Hearing Chris, I am reminded how parenthood often reshapes our priorities and perspectives. It made me think about my own experiences and how having a family has influenced my career choices and goals. Chris’ journey highlighted the delicate balance many of us strive to maintain between our personal and professional lives.

Reflecting on his career to date, Chris often considers how much the field of clinical social work has evolved.

He has seen significant shifts in the respect and recognition given to social workers, both from within the profession and from the broader clinical community. “It’s been great to see the evolution even in my career. I've seen a lot of shifting and a lot more respect being given to social workers and also demanded by social workers and contributing to the clinical dialogue”.

Chris reflected on how a significant part of his life was spent "unhealthily hustling," a trait he attributes to his mother's influence. His mother, a minority woman and an illegal immigrant from the Philippines, had to work incredibly hard, often holding multiple jobs. This hustle mentality was passed down to him, but he acknowledges that it's a lifestyle that doesn't age well.

His reflections highlight the importance of mental health awareness and the challenges many face at this stage of life. Chris’ experiences continue to inspire, emphasising the value of introspection and the courage to navigate uncharted territory.

Chris remains open to new opportunities and constantly seeks ways to evolve. 

Dr D’s Wisdom

1. Embrace Flexibility in Your Career: The path isn't always clear, but by taking the next step, you'll start to see where you're headed. It's about staying open to change and trusting the process.

2. Focus on Building Trust with Clients: The therapeutic relationship is everything. It's about building trust and connection with your clients. Keep learning and evolving your approach to meet their needs effectively.

3. Prioritise Your Well-Being: You can't help others if you're running on empty. Find a balance that allows you to take care of yourself while being effective in your professional role.

You can get in contact with Chris here on LinkedIn