Hello, I am Christina Sharp. I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Missouri and went on to get my clinical license (LCSW). I reside in Missouri and I am licensed in Missouri, Nevada, and Massachusetts. I have worked for clinics and have seen clients in-person, via telehealth, and in-home. I now have my own private practice and see client's via telehealth. I am a wife and a mother to an amazing young daughter, who I love to spend my off time with. I am also an animal lover with three of my own; my 7yr old dog Phoenix, and my litter-mate 10yr old cats Radar and Ziva. My self-care includes spending time out in nature with my family, including getting my hands dirty in my garden. I enjoy reading and spending quality time with my young child. Over the winter months, I also enjoy crocheting and learning new skills.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. I have an intake assessment that I will go through to get a full rounded picture of your life. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. I always want my clients to feel comfortable with sharing because I know allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can be very difficult. I ask that my clients only share what they are comfortable with and if they are not ready to talk about struggles, that is okay too. I appreciate that my clients are here seeking assistance in their journey and I will work at that pace that is necessary for each individual client.
Starting off my social work career in 2014, I have worked with clients with mental health struggles, including trauma, for over 10 years. I have worked with the state of Missouri in child welfare, intensive in-home services, community mental health case-worker, and as a therapist. I am passionate about working with people at their pace, and enjoy working with people where they are at.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a very common technique used in talk therapy to help client's understand how their thoughts and actions are related. I use this skill in conjunction with other techniques that best suit my client's needs.
EMDR can be used with many clients experiencing intense reactions to situations. When I use EMDR, I focus first on coping mechanisms so my client's are comfortable processing both in session and between sessions.
I feel mindfulness is at the root of most coping mechanisms and what allows our bodies to connect with out thoughts and feelings. I am certified in Mindfulness Training and use a lot of mindfulness based skills throughout my sessions.