When it comes to better health, “we run a race and eventually there is a finish to it,” says Chase Wade of Gunter, Texas. And when it comes to mental health and experiencing counseling, he continues, “We have to start somewhere, so let’s find a starting line, a place to start.”
Chase Wade, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), owns Starting Line Counseling in the Wellness Row Shopping Center in Gunter. Starting Line Counseling offers various counseling services to help meet your needs. Like a General Practitioner treating concerns like the flu or common cold, Chase focuses on various matters such as family issues, trauma, and anxiety. “It’s the perfect fit for a small community because I can help in all areas,” he says. “I want you to be able to handle issues like how to negotiate life, how to mend relationships, how to solve problems while developing skills to handle certain situations,” Chase continues.
Chase has been in Gunter since 2023 but has over fifteen years of experience and quite a resume. After earning his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Texas Tech University, Chase moved to Fort Worth for seven years before moving to Houston for four years.
In a very short time, he grew the practice working for a renowned healthcare system to becoming a Vice President of Clinical Operations. He built the office staff from four to twenty and tripled his clients. It was a dream come true, thriving in an industry he loved, but he felt a calling to pursue his real passion.
Chase and his wife, Courteney, had just had their son, Fox, and realized they wanted a change. Courteney is originally from Gunter with family still here. As the country recovered from the recent pandemic, The Wades wanted a life that was quieter, and slower, so it only made sense to go north. Courteney works in informational technology thus was quickly able to find work in the area. Chase decided it was time to fulfill his desire to have a private practice.
It began entirely online. Chase was not worried as he predicted virtual therapy as a future trend back when he was in graduate school. His professors “didn’t quite believe me or see it as I did,” notes Chase, but “then a pandemic hits, and all of a sudden, virtual counseling soared in popularity,” he says. Perhaps one of the “benefits” of the pandemic is that “it normalized mental health, virtual therapy, and diminished the stigma of seeking help,” Chase confirms.
As Chase’s practice grew, the Wellness Row Shopping Center opened, creating an opportunity for a physical office. He saw that the Gunter/Celina community was growing, and he believed a physical office would better serve people’s needs. Chase knew he could counsel a child, adolescents, people entering retirement wondering about “their purpose,” someone with addiction, or help parents with child-rearing needs to name a few. “I love my job and have a big aspiration for helping people,” says Chase. “Life can be hard and unfair at times. I am authentic with each client. I love coming to work every day with a drive to treat people’s problems,” he enthusiastically says.
He credits his grandfather, a World War II (WWII) veteran, as the person who gave him that very desire to help people. At university, he studied how war affected the children and families of WWII vets. It resonated with Chase and his own childhood, compelling him to attend graduate school and become a counselor. Growing up in Arlington, Chase was taught family values and how to respect people in your community. This experience instilled the importance of helping and taking care of people.
Living in Gunter reminds Chase of such memories. “The people here are so great,” he says. “It’s cool because a lot of the world is not slowing down, but Gunter feels like it is moving at its own pace. Everyone is kind to one another,” he states. For example, referring to client meetings, while Chase ensures patient privacy by scheduling plenty of space between sessions, it seems almost unnecessary. “Here, while it is a small town, people do not seem to care if people are going to counseling. There is absolutely no stigma. It is refreshing and says a lot about the community,” claims Chase.
Stigma is one of the hardest obstacles to overcome when needing help. Chase recognizes it’s difficult to ask for help, taking the first step to reach out. “The person on the other side of that call is truly not judgmental and wants to help by working with you,” he maintains.
As a former Division I athlete running track and cross country at Texas Tech, Chase comprehends commitment, setbacks, and how difficult life can be if you try to manage it alone. It’s like running a race, he states, “Your body might feel bad or hurt, but if we persevere through it, we can get through it.” Furthermore, he wants you to take that step and get started. “Let’s find the starting line, a place to start, so we can finish the race,” Chase notes. It’s the meaning behind the name, Starting Line Counseling, a place to start and a race to finish.
Starting Line Counseling’s motto is “Where Hope and Healing Begins”. Take that first step, invest in yourself, and let Chase Wade with Starting Line Counseling support your goal of better health.
StartingLineCounseling.com
(325) 766-7284