Zachary J. Thieneman, PsyD , CGP

First and foremost, I take pride in my work. One of my professional mottos I say to all potential clients is: “I will do everything in my power to help you.” And I mean every word. I firmly believe in compassion and intentionality. Therapy is built on relationships and my personal and professional relationships are particularly meaningful.

Clinically, I identify as a generalist psychologist. I work with individuals and families across the life span and diagnosis which keeps my work dynamic and fulfilling. I specialize in anxiety, mindfulness, interpersonal/family dynamics, autism spectrum, clinical supervision/training, masculinity, and transitional therapy (to and from residential or intensive therapies).

As a clinician, it is my job to make therapy flexible and applicable to people’s worlds and needs. I believe in the real-life application of interventions so that anybody who steps into my office sees how to bring psychology to everyday life. This approach to therapy and interventions allows me to adapt my approach to meet the needs of my clients to the best of my ability.

Joining the Groupworks team upon completion of my doctorate in 2016, I never thought I would be the group therapist I am today. Individual and family therapy were more comfortable. During the course of my practice, I developed both a passion and an expertise in group therapy, especially with children and adolescents. I was surprised how knowledge of group therapy changed and augmented my individual and family work. I dove head-first into learning about group interventions and realized the transformative power of group therapy.

This culminated in Group Psychotherapy with Children, the book Dr. Sheppard and I authored for the American Group Psychotherapy Association which was published in August of 2023. Now, I present locally, regionally, and nationally about group psychotherapy. I also consult and train professionals on the power of group and my other clinical specialties such as mindfulness and anxiety.

In my everyday life, you can find me exercising (often at places like CycleBar or Shred415), hiking, traveling, watching movies, or spending time with my family. If you look closely in my office, you’ll see hints of some of my personal interests

including an elder wand from Harry Potter, a Groot planter amongst my bonsais, a BMO figure, a map of The Lonely Mountain from Lord of the Rings, and plenty of dinosaurs. I very much believe in playfulness- for all ages. I hope to see you soon!