Christy Nyakana

(she/her)

LCSW, 23 years of experience
Authentic
Empowering
Warm
VirtualAvailable

Are you the person who looks completely fine on the outside while quietly feeling overwhelmed underneath? Maybe you’re exhausted from overthinking every interaction, replaying conversations in your head at 2 a.m., or wondering why the same painful relationship patterns keep showing up in your life. You may be carrying anxiety, trauma, burnout, grief, or years of feeling responsible for everyone else while ignoring your own needs. Maybe you’ve gotten very good at functioning while secretly feeling disconnected, emotionally drained, or stuck. I work especially well with people who are just tired of pretending they’re “fine.” Many of my clients are caregivers, professionals, military families, people navigating major life changes, or individuals trying to heal from difficult childhood experiences and unhealthy relationships. Others are struggling with body image, self-worth, or the emotional side of bariatric surgery and life transitions. While some are figuring out the complexities of ENM, polyamory, or power dynamic relationships. My style is warm, conversational, and supportive. Therapy with me is not about sitting in a cold, clinical space feeling judged or analyzed. It’s about having honest conversations in a place where you can finally exhale a little. We’ll work together to better understand your patterns, strengthen your sense of self, and help you move toward healthier relationships, clearer boundaries, and a life that feels more authentic and manageable. And yes—because I provide teletherapy from home, one of my cats may occasionally wander through the background. I consider that part of the experience! 😺 If you’re ready to stop carrying everything alone and start making meaningful changes, I’d love to help. Reach out when you’re ready, and let’s see if we’re a good fit.

Get to know me

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

Our first session is really an opportunity for us to get to know each other and talk about what brings you to therapy. We’ll spend time discussing your history, current concerns, and what you hope to gain from the process so I can better understand who you are and how I may be able to help. It’s also a chance for you to ask questions—about therapy itself, my background and approach, or anything else that helps you feel more comfortable. I think it’s important that therapy feels collaborative and supportive from the very beginning. Research consistently shows that one of the biggest factors in successful therapy is the connection between therapist and client, so I take that relationship seriously. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling like you had a genuine conversation with someone who is interested in understanding you, rather than feeling like you sat through an interview.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I believe therapy works best when people feel safe enough to be honest about what they are experiencing without fear of judgment. My approach is rooted in helping clients better understand themselves, where their emotional patterns come from, and how past experiences may still be influencing their current relationships, stress, self-esteem, and daily life. My work is primarily influenced by psychodynamic and humanistic therapy approaches. In simple terms, that means we spend time exploring the deeper “why” behind emotions, behaviors, and relationship patterns while also focusing on self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Understanding these patterns can help people stop feeling stuck in the same cycles and begin making healthier, more intentional choices. I also believe therapy should feel human and collaborative rather than cold or overly clinical. Many clients I work with are used to carrying everything on their own and often feel emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or overwhelmed. I try to create a space where clients can finally exhale a little, speak openly, and feel accepted as they are. My style tends to be warm, conversational, and genuine. I believe humor, authenticity, and a strong therapeutic connection can be incredibly healing. While therapy can involve difficult conversations, it can also create relief, clarity, and a stronger understanding of yourself and your needs. Ultimately, my goal is to help clients build insight, improve relationships, strengthen boundaries, reduce emotional distress, and create change that feels real and possible.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Therapy with me can be meaningful if you tend to carry a great deal internally while still managing to show up for everyone else. Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, self-aware, and emotionally insightful, but still find themselves repeating the same painful relationship patterns, struggling with boundaries, or feeling disconnected from themselves. Clients that meet with me are typically people that are looking for therapy that feels more genuine and conversational rather than rigid or overly formal. I love curiosity, honesty, humor, and creating a space where you can speak openly without feeling judged or pressured to “have it all figured out.” Together, we focus on understanding patterns more deeply so that change feels meaningful, realistic, and lasting.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Ohio

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Psychodynamic

Psychodynamic therapy can help you understand how your past experiences, relationships, and unconscious emotional patterns may be affecting your current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Attachment-based

Attachment-based therapy can help you better understand how your early relationships may affect the way you connect with others, trust, communicate, and respond emotionally in your current relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, stress, and other emotional struggles.

, 26 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

August 15, 2025

She was absolutely wonderful, very kind, easy to talk to, and understanding.

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 1 with Christy

August 1, 2025

Extremely cerebral while also being a very authentic, open-hearted person who really gets the layered intricacies of the human experience. Has a way of asking questions that pierces to the problem that makes a person feel really empowered in their own self-reflection by answering it. Our sessions are equal parts enlightening and just plain fun. Truly exceptional at what she does, and I cannot give a higher recommendation.

Verified client, age 35-44
Review shared after session 5 with Christy

June 13, 2025

Made you feel very comfortable and like you could talk without being judged.

Verified client, age 45-54
Review shared after session 1 with Christy