My name is Zach Breunig (He/Him) and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Medical Family Therapist working full-time for Gather Behavioral Health seeing clients in Washington state for outpatient therapy. I received my Master of Science degree from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. I am originally from Wisconsin but have lived in six states, including Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Washington, and Illinois. While I currently reside in Illinois with my wife and daughter, I have previously lived and worked in the Seattle metro-area for five years and have a deep love for the Pacific Northwest.
I come to The Emily Program and Gather Behavioral Health after having previously worked in group private practice for nearly a decade treating clients of various backgrounds, primarily focusing on working with couples, families, anxiety disorders, LGBTQIA+ issues, gender and identity exploration, grief and trauma, and chronic pain. Throughout my work with clients across these backgrounds I have developed a growing passion for supporting clients with learning more about their relationships with their bodies and with food. As my passion grows, so does my investment in providing multi-systemic care to clients navigating Eating Disorder recovery.
My therapeutic belief is that the foundation of growth in therapy is a sound and trusting therapeutic relationship. As your therapist, my first goal is to make sure that you feel seen, heard, and respected for the person you are and the place you are currently at in your life. I believe that therapy is a space safe from judgment for anyone to receive the support they need to become the best version of themselves. This foundation will allow us to collaboratively navigate the challenges of therapy and the recovery process.
I utilize a multitude of evidence-based therapeutic tools to support each of my clients, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness strategies, and strengths-based approaches. I have extensive experience working with families, treatment teams, medical professionals, and other supports throughout the treatment process, and believe in the value of a strong, reliable support network.
During our therapeutic journey together I will support you in discovering more about yourself, identifying your personal and treatment goals, learning and maintaining skills to support your recovery, and building a life for yourself that is enriching and meaningful. Approaching and navigating changes in your life can be daunting and overwhelming, and I will guide you through this process with grace and compassion so that you can access your courage and strengths to make progress toward your goals. I am honored to be a part of your journey toward self-awareness, healing, recovery, and growth.