fgerhard

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.