Gordon believes authentic, vulnerable conversations help us lead more connected, meaningful lives in what has become an increasingly lonely, disconnected world. He values and enjoys “big talk” (rather than small talk) and considers his role as a mental health professional both a privilege and a calling.
Gordon does his best to afford clients a space that consistently feels welcoming, nonjudgmental and safe, and describes his style as warm and relaxed yet direct. He also thinks it’s important to remain flexible and adaptable to client needs and preferences, and have a good sense of humor. Because it’s common to feel uneasy about anything as new and personal as talk therapy, Gordon places an emphasis on helping clients feel comfortable from the start.
Gordon’s approach is person-centered and trauma-informed, emphasizing the process and quality of the therapist-client relationship (research consistently recognizes the therapeutic alliance as one of the most important determinants of successful outcomes in talk therapy). His method integrates aspects of various evidence-based therapies, particularly mentalization-based therapy (MBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). MBT emphasizes the ability to ‘mentalize’ – to interpret and understand the behavior and reactions of others (as well as our own), while ACT emphasizes psychological flexibility and acceptance as the way to overcome obstacles and take steps towards what matters.
Gordon is a licensed clinical social worker at the Pine Rest Forest Hills Clinic. His previous professional experience includes work with unhoused and psychiatrically hospitalized people in the Grand Rapids community, and corporate employees from across the country exposed to disruptive workplace events such as fatalities, injuries, layoffs and violent crime. Gordon holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University/Indianapolis and a master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University.
