Christina Lipe
I'm Dr. Christina Lipe, DSW, LCSW, and I believe everyone deserves a safe, supportive space where they can feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgment. My approach to therapy is warm, compassionate, and down-to-earth, with a healthy dose of humor when appropriate. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, life transitions, and the everyday difficulties that can leave us feeling overwhelmed or disconnected. My work is rooted in trauma-informed care, recognizing that our experiences shape how we see ourselves, relate to others, and move through the world.
Therapy isn't about becoming someone different. It's about understanding who you are, what you've been through, and what you need to move forward.
I don't believe therapy should feel intimidating or overly clinical. I see it as a collaborative relationship where we work together to understand what's happening, recognize patterns, build on your strengths, and develop meaningful strategies for change. I value authenticity, curiosity, and honest conversations, and I believe that sometimes the most important part of healing is simply having someone truly listen. My goal is to help you find your footing, reconnect with yourself, and build a life that feels more manageable, fulfilling, and authentically yours. I understand that reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, and I strive to make that first step as comfortable as possible. You don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy, and you certainly don't have to face life's challenges alone. We'll begin wherever you are, at a pace that feels right for you, and work together toward the changes you want to see in your life.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another, talk about what brought you to therapy, and begin exploring what you'd like to gain from our time together. I know that meeting with a new therapist can feel intimidating, especially if you've never been to therapy before, so my priority is to help you feel comfortable, welcomed, and heard. We'll spend some time discussing your background, current concerns, important relationships, and experiences that may be influencing how you're feeling today. I'll ask questions to better understand your needs, but there's no pressure to share everything at once. You get to decide what you're comfortable discussing, and we'll move at a pace that respects that. I'll also explain how I approach therapy, answer any questions you have, and work with you to begin identifying goals for our work together. You can expect a genuine conversation rather than an interrogation, and there's no need to prepare anything or worry about saying the right things. Most importantly, I want you to leave your first session feeling that you've been listened to, that your concerns matter, and that we have a starting point for moving forward together. Therapy is a collaborative process, and our first session is simply the beginning of that relationship.
Strengths
I bring a combination of clinical knowledge, genuine curiosity, compassion, and a practical, down-to-earth perspective to my sessions. I'm a thoughtful listener, but I'm also an active participant in the therapeutic process. I ask questions, offer observations, help connect the dots, and gently challenge patterns that may be keeping you stuck. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to see the bigger picture while still recognizing the importance of the small details. I understand that our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and experiences are interconnected, and I work to help clients make sense of those connections without feeling judged or overwhelmed. I value authenticity and believe therapy works best when you can show up exactly as you are. I'm warm, approachable, and comfortable having difficult conversations, and I appreciate the role that humor can sometimes play in healing. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I tailor our work to your individual needs, strengths, experiences, and goals, balancing empathy with honest feedback and practical strategies you can use outside of our sessions.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is ready to better understand themselves, even if they're not quite sure where to begin. You might be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. Perhaps you've spent years putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own, find yourself repeating patterns you don't understand, or feel disconnected from the person you want to be. You don't have to come into therapy with clear goals, all the answers, or even the words to explain what you're feeling. Curiosity and a willingness to explore are wonderful starting points, and we'll work together to figure out the rest. I especially enjoy working with people who want to understand the *why* behind their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, not just find ways to manage their symptoms. Whether you're working through past experiences, learning to establish healthier boundaries, navigating complicated relationships, or trying to rediscover your sense of self, my goal is to help you develop insight, confidence, and meaningful, lasting change. Above all, my ideal client is someone who wants a genuine therapeutic relationship where they can be themselves, feel understood, and know that they don't have to navigate life's challenges alone.
Treatment methods
Integrative
I believe therapy should be tailored to the individual, rather than expecting everyone to fit into the same approach. I use an integrated approach, which means I draw from different therapeutic methods based on your unique needs, experiences, and goals. Some sessions may focus on understanding how past experiences influence your present, while others may involve developing practical coping skills, exploring relationships, or changing patterns that are no longer serving you. I consider the whole person, including emotional, physical, relational, and environmental factors that influence well-being. This flexibility allows us to work together in a way that feels natural, meaningful, and responsive to where you are in your journey.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients better understand the different parts of themselves, especially those that may seem to be in conflict. For example, one part of you might want to make a change while another feels afraid, or you may find yourself reacting in ways you don't fully understand. Rather than judging or trying to eliminate these feelings, we explore what they may be trying to communicate and how they developed, often as ways of protecting you from difficult experiences. Through this process, I help clients develop greater self-compassion, understand their emotional responses, and build a more peaceful relationship with themselves. My goal is to help you feel less controlled by old patterns and more confident in responding to life's challenges with clarity and intention.
Attachment-based
I use attachment-based therapy to help clients understand how their early relationships and experiences may influence the way they connect with others today. Our experiences of love, trust, safety, and belonging can shape how we approach relationships, express our needs, and respond to conflict or emotional closeness. Together, we explore these patterns with curiosity and compassion, recognizing that many behaviors developed as ways of protecting ourselves or maintaining important connections. I help clients identify unmet emotional needs, develop healthier boundaries, strengthen communication, and build a greater sense of security in themselves and their relationships. My goal is to help you move beyond patterns that no longer serve you and develop more fulfilling, authentic, and emotionally safe connections with others.
Strength-Based
I use a strengths-based approach because I believe everyone brings valuable abilities, experiences, and inner resources to the therapeutic process, even when they're struggling to recognize those qualities in themselves. Rather than focusing only on problems or symptoms, we work together to identify what's already working, build on your existing strengths, and explore how those strengths can help you navigate challenges. I recognize that resilience doesn't mean you've never struggled; often, it means you've found ways to keep going through difficult circumstances. My goal is to help you recognize your capabilities, develop greater confidence in yourself, and feel empowered to make meaningful changes in your life. Therapy isn't about fixing what's wrong with you. It's about helping you discover and strengthen what's already within you.
Gender-affirming therapy
I provide gender-affirming therapy by creating a safe, welcoming, and judgment-free space where clients can explore their identities, experiences, and emotions without fear of being questioned or invalidated. I believe everyone deserves to be respected and accepted for who they are, and I recognize that gender identity is only one part of a person's unique experience. Whether you're exploring your identity, navigating coming out, managing family or relationship challenges, experiencing discrimination, or simply looking for a therapist who understands and respects you, my approach is rooted in compassion, acceptance, and collaboration. I don't view gender diversity as something that needs to be treated or changed. Instead, I focus on supporting your emotional well-being, strengthening your sense of self, and helping you navigate challenges in ways that honor your identity, autonomy, and personal goals. You deserve a therapeutic relationship where you can show up authentically and know that you belong.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions1506 Salem Rd, Mount Vernon, IL 62864, Ste 2