Dr. Gerhard obtained a bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in philosophy from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, and completed his masters degree in clinical psychology from American International College in Springfield, MA. While obtaining his master's degree, his training focused on individual therapy of older teens and young adults at the college counseling center. Additionally he was trained in group and individual therapy in a community mental health program of the Center for Human Development in Holyoke, MA.

While earning his doctorate in clinical psychology from the Graduate Institute for Professional Psychology at the University of Hartford, Dr. Gerhard trained in providing individual and group therapy, and psychological assessment of teens at the Waterford Country School in Connecticut. He went on to train in providing individual and group interpersonal psychotherapy at the Connecticut Valley Hospital to help both young adults and the geriatric population with severe mental illnesses.

Dr. Gerhard interned at the Seacoast Mental Health Center in Portsmouth, NH continuing training in providing interpersonal psychotherapy individually and in groups, splitting his caseload between younger adults and the elderly, plus providing psychological assessments for children and adolescents. His post-graduate internship was at the UMASS Memorial Hospital's outpatient clinic, Community Healthlink in Worcester, MA where he provided adult individual, couples, and group therapy for a wide range of issues. He also supervised their program in Community Rehabilitative Services funded by the Department of Mental Health to promote recovery and coping for people with long-standing mental illnesses. Prior to coming to the Counseling Center of Nashua, Dr. Gerhard worked in a wide variety of settings including outpatient clinics, a middle school, an inpatient rehab for people with neurological disorders, nursing homes, and private practice.

After doing research on optimism, Dr. Gerhard has made positive psychology an area of professional expertise. He continues to work with adolescents ages 12 and older, and sees adults of all ages providing individual, couples, and group therapy. His approach focuses on engaging a person's unique strengths and values, and understanding and changing patterns of communication and behavior.