Nathan W. Gates, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor
specializing in implementing evidence-based counseling methods for
individuals, couples and families. He currently maintains a private
practice in Canton, Illinois and writes the
Spoon River Wellness & Action Bulletin
.
You can request an appointment by clicking
here .
Nathan has eleven years of experience in the human services field. The first
seven of those years were with adolescents, conducting wilderness therapy
and alternative approaches to helping kids thrive. In 2008, Nathan completed
a Master’s degree in counseling psychology, and in the fall of 2010
became licensed. From 2008 to 2012, he worked with adult populations at
WellnessNow , an award-winning wellness-focused program for
Jefferson Center for Mental Health, the community mental health center
serving the western suburbs of Denver, Colorado.
Originally from rural southern Illinois, he has relocated to the Canton area
to be nearer his family and the family of his wife, originally from Fulton
county herself. Together, they have two small children who benefit greatly
from having closer relationships with their grandparents and great
grandparents.
“Nathan Gates has always impressed me as one to strive for clinical excellence. Being proactive and industrious, he goes the extra mile to respond to the needs of consumers with skill and expertise in all clinical areas. He puts consumers first and is open to new ideas for serving consumers better. Indeed, Nate helps people see what they are capable of: Demonstrating that he believes that folks are not their mental illness and not defined by their mental illness, he elicits their strengths and encourages them to take responsibility for their lives and doing things they thought they could not. Nate also utilizes supervision to continually improve his clinical skills because he is committed to excellence. He has expanded collaborative relationships with with the greater community that have increased awareness that Jefferson Center is a valued provider of Mental Health and Wellness services.”
-Tom Henry, Manager, Mountain and Rural Services, Jefferson Center for Mental Health
Nathan has taken a strong professional interest in the implementation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a relatively new treatment approach that is currently the object of exponential growth and a great deal of study in our national university systems. With over 60 randomized controlled trials now complete, ACT is listed as an empirically supported treatment for a variety of conditions by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and by the American Psychological Association (APA). Nathan has received a great deal of training in ACT, including weekend intensives, national conferences, and five years of supervision with an ACT-oriented psychologist. Additionally, Nathan has also become a trainer in ACT, training over 50 mental health clinicians in the Denver metro area in the application of ACT in mental health settings.
“Nathan is a gifted clinician with a strong sense of how to help people shift and change. His command of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is exemplary and he is gifted in his execution of the theory. Nate is a strong systemic thinker with an intense drive to help people and organizations meet their full potential.”
-Dr. Kathy Baur, Wellness Clinician and Clinical Supervisor, WellnessNow
Relevant Experience and Training:
- Development and Implementation of Wellness-focused services
- Service provision from both counseling and coaching perspectives, enhancing ability to communicate with those who may be wary/skeptical of “counseling”.
- Provided counseling for individuals with an array of psychiatric diagnoses
- Provided couples counseling
- Seven years of experience with adolescents in a variety of settings
- Member in good standing of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, the professional organization that promotes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
- Former secretary of the board for the Colorado chapter of ACBS.
- Member of the Illinois Counseling Association
- Experienced and comfortable public speaker and presenter
- Experienced trainer in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Experienced in the delivery of mindfulness-based therapeutic services
- Hundreds of hours of experience in tobacco cessation
- Prepared and implemented wellness groups, presentations and seminars on chronic pain management, diabetes management, weight loss, stress management, anxiety management, mindfulness and relaxation
- Hundreds of hours of post-graduate training in substance use and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Attended two international ACBS conferences
“Nathan has been an exemplary Secretary to the Board and has performed his role with creativity, effectiveness and an eye towards innovation. As a member of a relatively new board there has been much room for improvisation and development of systems and processes to establish protocols that are effective and sustainable. I have greatly appreciated Nathan's abilities to think systemically and his plentiful energy and dedication to promoting the work of ACBS Colorado. Nathan takes his work seriously and gives his all. That being said, he also has a keen sense of humor and can model qualities that he seeks to engender in others - namely, flexibility, willingness, values-driven behavior, and integrity in balancing the multiple domains of a full and rich life. I would recommend Nathan to work in a variety of contexts that require independent and critical thought, leadership abilities, collaboration, and innovation.”
-Brooks Witter, President, ACBS Colorado
Education
MA, Naropa University, Counseling Psychology, 2008
BA, Illinois Wesleyan University, Psychology, 2000
License, Certifications & Awards
Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Illinois
Former Board Secretary, Colorado Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
Committee Chair for Public Health Champion-winning Tobacco Free initiative
JeffersonCenter Leadership Academy, 2010
Volunteer of the Year, Colorado AIDS Project 2007
Additional Training
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 15 hour weekend intensives (3)
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science World Conference (2010 & 2012)
150 Hours of state-approved substance abuse training (not licensed)
Professional Activities and Memberships
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science
Illinois Counseling Association
Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association
Canton Chamber of Commerce
More information about Nathan can be obtained by referencing his Linkedin profile, available here .