“I regard the desire to be loved and cared for as being an integral part of human nature throughout adult life.”
—John Bowlby
pronouns: she/her
Psychotherapist
While in my graduate studies in Human Services, I discovered that there was a professional path for embracing my infinite curiosity about the role of love and relationships in human development. So, I shifted my focus to clinical work, and my rewarding experiences have reinforced this decision many times. This work has enriched my life in many ways! In recent years, I have found a particular enthusiasm for Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Sex Therapy. I find great efficacy in models that embrace love and connection as a fundamental human need and survival tool. It resonates in such an exciting way with what I have encountered in my work.
I enjoy working with different types of relationships, and my community-based work has prepared me well for addressing challenges in parent/child and sibling relationships. In addition to my work with adult relationships and individuals, I enjoy helping teens 14 and up and their family members embrace emerging autonomy and independence in a way that accounts for developmentally appropriate boundaries and healthy communication habits. Adolescent years can be both deeply challenging and wonderful for all involved.
My practice is informed by the premise that (1) All humans have a fundamental need for meaningful connections to others; (2) People will thrive when they feel safe and have the right support; (3) We all have pain. The quality of our life and relationships depends on how well we manage our pain. I take a trauma-informed, attachment-focused approach, and draw from a number of modalities, including EFT with individuals and couples, mindfulness, person-centered, and cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapies. Clients have described me as being uniquely skilled at having hard conversations while balancing honesty with kindness and compassion. I value a practical, validating, and supportive approach to psychotherapy.
I am LGBTQ affirmative and welcome people of all genders, sexual orientations, relationship configurations, and lifestyles.
I acknowledge the realities of racism, embrace an anti-racist stance, and strive to be culturally sensitive and honoring of intersectional realties. I also recognize that this is a work in progress for all of us, and invite dialogue if I err. I have an ongoing commitment to educate myself in these areas.
I am meeting clients in person or via telehealth.
Education and Credentials
- MA (Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling), 2007
- LCPC (Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), #180.008075
To contact Christina, please call 847.425.1500, ext. 3, or email christina@evanstonrelationalpsychotherapy.com.