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Christian Thompson

LMFT, 12 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience supporting adolescents, young adults, and families. I began my work in community-based public mental health, serving underserved populations, and that foundation continues to shape how I show up today—with care, respect, and a real understanding of life’s complexities. My background includes working with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and complex trauma, so I’m comfortable supporting both early or emerging concerns and ongoing mental health conditions. I’ve worked extensively with low-income communities, immigrants, and individuals from diverse cultural and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds. I also have a strong background working with mothers, particularly single mothers, who are navigating their own mental health while supporting children or adult children with their own challenges. My approach is collaborative and strength-based—I focus on helping you build on what’s already working while developing practical tools you can use in your daily life. I aim to create a space that is calm, supportive, and nonjudgmental, where you can show up as you are, speak openly, and process what you’re going through while also building practical tools to better navigate everyday life.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, we’ll take some time to get to know each other and talk about what’s bringing you to therapy. I’ll ask questions to better understand what you’ve been experiencing, including any challenges, symptoms, or patterns that have been coming up for you, and we may complete a few brief assessments as part of that process. We’ll also talk about what you’d like to work on and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. This is a collaborative space, so you’re always welcome to ask questions, share what matters most to you, and get a feel for whether I’m the right fit for you as well. My goal is for you to leave that first session feeling heard, supported, and with a clearer sense of where we’re headed next.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths is my ability to meet people where they are while still helping them move forward in a meaningful, grounded way. My background in community-based public mental health and severe mental illness allows me to stay steady, thoughtful, and effective even when things feel complex, overwhelming, or uncertain. I’m comfortable working across a wide range of experiences—from early or emerging concerns to more significant mental health challenges—and I approach each person with both clinical skill and genuine curiosity about their unique story. I take a collaborative, strength-based approach, focusing on helping you recognize what’s already working and build on that with practical tools you can use in your everyday life. I don’t believe therapy should feel abstract or disconnected from real life—my goal is for our work together to feel relevant, usable, and impactful beyond the session. Another strength I bring is my ability to understand people not just as individuals, but within the context of their relationships, culture, and environment. My experience working with families, multigenerational systems, and underserved communities allows me to hold a broader, more nuanced perspective while still keeping the work focused and personal. I also bring lived experience and cultural awareness that allows me to connect more authentically with many of the communities I serve. I understand that seeking support can come with its own layers, and I aim to create a space where you feel seen, respected, and able to show up fully as yourself. Clients often share that they feel both supported and gently challenged in our work together, which helps them gain clarity, build confidence, and create meaningful, lasting change.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with adolescents and young adults (15–25) navigating life transitions, identity, complex trauma, grief and loss, and emotional challenges, including early or emerging mental health concerns as well as ongoing conditions. I also support families impacted by these experiences, focusing on communication, stability, and connection. I provide parenting support using Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) for parents of children (0–18) with behavioral challenges, including autism spectrum disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders, and other behavioral disorders. I also work with parents managing their own mental health while raising children with or without emotional or developmental needs. I support families impacted by serious mental illness and substance use. I enjoy working with multigenerational families, including grandparents raising grandchildren, and women—particularly Black and Brown women—seeking insight, practical tools, and lasting change.

SpecialtiesTop specialties

Trauma and PTSD

Other specialties

Anxiety

I identify as

Black / African American

Person of Color (POC)

Woman

Serves ages

Adults (18 to 64)

Elders (65 and above)

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

California

Accepts

Arlo

Location
Virtual
My treatment methods

Integrative

I take an integrative, evidence-based approach, drawing from different methods depending on what best supports you or your family. I tailor the work to each person’s needs, whether we’re focusing on individual growth or family dynamics. I also incorporate parenting support, including strategies from Triple P, to help caregivers feel more confident and supported in responding to their child’s needs. I feel genuinely grateful to do this work and approach each session with care, respect, and a focus on helping you build insight and practical tools you can carry into your everyday life.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use CBT to help you make sense of the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we’ll gently look at patterns that may be keeping you or your family stuck and work toward shifting them in a way that feels realistic and doable. When working with families, I often help caregivers and youth better understand these patterns and develop practical tools that support healthier communication and day-to-day functioning.

Trauma Informed Care

I approach trauma-informed care with a strong focus on safety, trust, and moving at your pace. I understand how trauma can impact both individuals and family systems, and I don’t take that lightly. Whether working with you individually or within your family, I focus on creating a space that feels steady and supportive while helping you build tools that bring more stability and a sense of control.

Culturally Sensitive Therapy

I approach therapy with an understanding that identity, culture, and lived experience shape how individuals and families move through the world. I hold space for those experiences with openness and respect, while also exploring how cultural, family, and systemic dynamics may be impacting your mental health. My goal is for you and your family to feel seen, understood, and supported in a way that aligns with who you are.

Motivational Interviewing

I use motivational interviewing as a foundational part of my work to understand where you or your family are in the change process and how best to support you. Through open-ended questions and a collaborative approach, I help individuals and families explore what’s working, what’s not, and what feels possible right now. This helps guide our work in a way that feels supportive, respectful, and aligned with your readiness for change.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.