Rantz Phelps

Rantz is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who is passionate about providing trauma-informed care to help adolescents (14+) and adults navigate life’s challenges. His journey into the mental health field is a unique one, built upon over a decade-long career as a public educator and his experiences as a licensed foster parent. These roles solidified his belief in the power of making meaningful connections and inspired his transition into counseling. As a clinician, he works with individuals, couples, parents, and families, with a special focus on helping men navigate relationship challenges, explore personal identity and masculinity, develop healthier emotional expression, and manage the complexities of fatherhood and co-parenting. Rantz has extensive experience supporting fathers who are involved in the dependency court system.

 

He utilizes an integrative and collaborative therapeutic approach to tailor therapy to each client's unique needs. He often uses Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior (DBT) therapeutic techniques to help clients build practical skills for managing thoughts, emotions, behaviors, while increasing their intentional mindfulness. For those struggling with relationships, he draws on Emotionally Focused (EFT), Attachment Theory, and especially empathic communication skills to heal past wounds and build stronger, more secure connections. He also incorporates insight-oriented and experiential techniques to help clients understand the roots of their patterns and discover new perspectives.

 

Rantz believes that the foundation of effective therapy is a strong, trusting therapeutic alliance where clients feel safe to explore their patterns, build resilience, manage life’s stressors, and move toward a more authentic and fulfilling life. He is a huge proponent of the therapeutic value of journaling and often integrates it into his work with clients.

 

As a lifelong learner, he is dedicated to continually expanding his clinical skills, with advanced training in Motivational Interviewing (MI), Nurturing Parenting trained, and a particular interest in "bottom-up" approaches to treating trauma. 

 

In his free time, Rantz is a true collector of hobbies. He enjoys the focus of archery and the satisfaction of woodworking, but can also be found relaxing in a hammock with a good book and a fountain pen for journaling. That is, when he isn't attempting to get his 7 year old daughter and the puppy to wear each other out.