9-Line Counseling was created to provide practical, evidence-based therapy for adults who are ready to make meaningful changes in their lives. The name comes from the military 9-Line MEDEVAC request – a clear, structured call for help when support is urgently needed.
Just as a 9-Line brings together the right information and resources during a crisis, therapy can provide a structured path forward when life feels overwhelming, uncertain, or stuck.
Meet William Russell, LCSW
Biography/Background
Before becoming a therapist, I spent 22 years serving in the United States Army. That experience shaped how I understand responsibility, resilience, identity, loss, transition, and the pressure to keep moving forward even when life feels uncertain. It also taught me that strength is not the absence of struggle – it is the willingness to face what is difficult and take the next meaningful step.
After retiring from the Army, I was drawn to social work because I wanted to help people navigate the parts of life that are often difficult to explain to others. I became a licensed clinical social worker and developed a practical, evidence-based approach to therapy that combines proven treatment methods with attention to meaning, values, identity, and purpose.
My clinical work is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and existential therapy. I believe effective therapy should be more than simply talking about problems. It should help clients understand what is keeping them stuck, develop useful tools, work through painful experiences, and move toward a life that feels more intentional and meaningful.
I created 9-Line Counseling to offer adults a straightforward and respectful place to work through anxiety, depression, trauma, major life changes, and questions about direction and purpose. Just as a military 9-Line brings together the essential information needed to respond during a crisis, therapy can provide structure, clarity, and a path forward when life feels overwhelming.
Outside the office, I value time with family, being outdoors, continued learning, and staying involved in research and professional development. Those parts of my life help keep me grounded and reinforce the same values I encourage clients to explore: connection, responsibility, growth, and purpose.
Military Service
Twenty-two years of Army service shaped my understanding of resilience, responsibility, transition, and the challenges service members and families face.
Life Beyond the Office
Time outdoors and strong relationships help keep me grounded and connected to the values I encourage clients to explore in their own lives.
Research & Professional Growth
I remain actively engaged in research, continuing education, and professional development so my work stays thoughtful, informed, and evidence-based.
Moving Forward
You do not have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Therapy can provide a place to slow down, better understand what you are carrying, and begin taking practical steps toward greater clarity, stability, and purpose.