I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical (LCSW-C) practicing in Washington County MD. Washington County remains “Home” to me, the place and the people where I was born and raised. I consider it a privilege to serve the people and families of this community and neighboring communities as they have served me well, across my life. I completed my BS degree from Shepherd University and my MSW from Salisbury University, enjoying 18+ years in the field of social Work serving Children, Individuals and families across a variety of systems. I am currently accepting clients, 16 years of age and older out of my home based private practice. I also accept clients wishing to utilize insurance coverage for in-person and or virtual therapy services through the GROW Therapy Platform. I have a particular affection for both the young and the young at heart believing that we are all striving somewhere along this spectrum. I am a passionate believer that tending to the wellness of our mind, body, emotion and spirit is how we remain there and or return there, depending on where we have found ourselves on this shared journey. I believe that while every person and their experiences are unique, the human experience with its joys, struggle and suffering are common to us all. It is out of this commonality that I work to create space, understanding, connection, and hopefully acceptance, growth & change with my clients.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Because I believe fully in the importance of supporting client autonomy, in the therapeutic process, I make great effort to create a supportive, goal directed and realistic experience with all my clients. The therapeutic experience is both social science and human art. A dance between building the trust necessary to allow another person to support our personal exploration of vulnerability and change. The Client-Therapist relationship remains statistically the most important element of client progress & satisfaction. Because of this fact, client's can expect to explore their comfort during several initial sessions while I attempt to help clients clearly assess their needs, form realistic and measurable goals and seek an agreed upon structure for learning and progressing towards their desired outcomes.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

-Broad Experience- I have had the privilege of serving in a variety of settings and systems working with individuals, families and children. Some of these include: Family Preservation, Foster Care, School based services, Hospital Care Management, Adult Services, Nursing home and Rehabilitation, Early Intervention/Development, and the Private Practice Setting. -Perspective- I do not propose to be an expert because I continue to learn everyday precisely from how much I do not know. I have never had all the answers and I don't "fix" people. I have extensive experience working with people from all walks of life and have realistically learned that despite our perceptions of good/bad, desirable/undesirable, positive/negative most of our experiences and emotions have teaching to offer if we can develop a willing attitude and practice. I have learned to walk beside individuals, I enjoy learning with them and provide supports through education and effective problem solving towards growth. The process is what makes this work so intrinsically rewarding. -Calling- From a young age, compassion, empathy and a willing effort to help were consistent and nurtured markers of my forming sense of self. As I grew in age, learning and experience I found peace and purpose in the calling of "The Wounded Healer," believing fulling in the power of our deepest personal wounds to be the potential offering of healing to a world in need.

About Christina Straley