Hellooo! I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist living in Virginia. I received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Regent University in 2008. I have lived in many different places but mostly I grew up in eastern North Carolina and Europe. Having parents from western New York and southern West Virginia, I was raised in a "northern" household in a "southern" environment. I like to think these contrasts in my life have helped me learn to adapt and identify with many different types of people. While I value the privilege of being an American, I love what other nationalities contribute to my world. Standing beside my clients and walking with them through their difficult times is one of my greatest joys.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
My first sessions are designed to provide hope that life can get better. I spend a little time introducing myself, my training background, and my worldview. If there is any paperwork or "formalities," we will get those done and out of the way. Then I ask the client to tell me about the issues bringing him or her to therapy. I think of this time as the client telling the story of how he or she got to this point. I ask clarifying questions and summarize to make sure I am understanding the situation correctly. Then I'll suggest a preliminary treatment plan and confirm that it lines up with what the client wants to get out of therapy. I want clients to leave knowing that the issues are surmountable, and they aren't alone in their journey to better mental health.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strength as a provider is being a big picture person. I can get into the nitty gritty of an issue and how it affects my client's life, but I am also able to pull back and provide perspective. Perspective helps the client step back from being overwhelmed by emotions or black and white thinking. Guiding the client through the maze of emotions or away from the rigidity of extreme thoughts is possible for me because I can hold onto the big picture. My next greatest strength is my ability to appreciate the absurd and laugh about it. Our world is filled with so many absurd events and points of view. I think I'm pretty good at acknowledging the absurd and finding the comic sides. This ability helps me maintain an evenness or balance in my own perspective of myself and others. It also helps me laugh at myself and not take myself too seriously. The last strength I will list here is that I care enough. Maybe this is actually my greatest strength. I care about each person becoming the best person he or she is meant to be. My path is not the same as anyone else's path and I can turn that around and care about another person, even when his or her path does not line up with where I am heading. When I care enough, I can rejoice with clients when they decide what is best for their lives, even if I think otherwise. I want my clients to grow in self-respect and to experience a worthwhile life and they are the only ones who can make those decisions. I care enough to encourage and challenge and equip and then let them go.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
My favorite clients are the ones who are willing to take responsibility for their own actions and put in the work to make improvements in their lives. The client who is eager to learn, even when it's hard, is a great client. Therapy is a process...so there are ups and downs. If a client is making some sort of progress, I will stick by him or her for as long as it takes. Often I am asked if I have a favorite age group. I usually respond by saying, "I love all ages! Each age group has a different phase to get through and it's fun to see how they do that." That being said, I especially enjoy working with people who are going through life transitions like preparing for college, pre-marriage, adjusting to a new baby, changing jobs, dealing with separations or divorces, or helping an older parent move to a smaller or closer place. Frequently, transitions in life bring up hurt or trauma that has not been dealt with and that's a time I shine with clients. I want every client to grow through experience but, being human, we get stuck and just need someone there to guide and encourage and challenge us. I work well with clients who are stuck and just need a helping hand (or ear) and some skills to move forward in life.
About Christie Moler
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Christian Counseling
I am a Christian psychologist, which means that I integrate Biblical principles with psychology's practices. I have 5 years of experience providing therapy in a large Christian counseling center. I understand when a client says, "I think God is telling me..." and I am willing to pray with clients when it is therapeutically appropriate. I believe following the principles in the Bible is a healthy way to live and that we are physical, emotional, and spiritual beings.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I love DBT because it is so skills based! DBT skills can be applied in millions of different ways. I use these skills to teach interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and mindfulness. Sometimes I use all the "modules" with a client, but other times, I might see that the client would benefit from one particular skill. I first learned DBT as a practicum student with a group of clients who were low functioning. I saw how these skills helped those clients and realized how helpful the skills are for all levels of functioning.
Eclectic
Outside of DBT, I am very eclectic in the methods I use with clients. I work from the mindset that every person is unique so therapy should be tailored to that person and what works for that person. I use "objective" tools like the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (uses Myers-Briggs language), the Five Love Languages survey, and anger scales. I also love to use art therapy, movement, and other "subjective" tools. I ask clients for feedback frequently because I don't believe in doing therapy that doesn't work. If one method isn't working, we will find one that does.