Christina Patterson

LCSW (she/her)20 years of experienceNext available
5.0 (5)
Open-minded
Solution oriented
Holistic

I am looking forward to working with you using my 20+ years of experience working in county outpatient, state/federal prisons, highest level of foster care, and with homeless individuals. Mostly, I have experience working with complex PTSD and am passionate about assisting in developing a sense of wellbeing and making the experience worth it.

I started working with California state prisoners and then moved to foster care.

I have recently been certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy and enjoy introducing it to you. If you already know or are now just hearing about EMDR, it is a fascinating type of therapy.

First session

After reviewing personal data, I begin listening to goals of clients and previous solutions they have used and found helpful. I explain triggering process using brain anatomy and begin working with the client to learn to manage their symptoms and achieve their sense of balance.

Strengths

Using motivational interviewing skills in a nonjudgmental and understanding manner, I collect your story focusing on previously used strengths and encourage a multitude of coping strategies with video tutorials that you can begin reviewing on your own time to begin practicing outside of the therapy session to develop your unique sense of empowerment. Together we will define your goals, I will provide data showing your progress so that you can see your own growth. Collaboratively, we will develop and refine your treatment results as you gain new insights into supportive and meaningful change. Being a trauma survivor myself, I have learned firsthand how a supportive partnership can educate and improve perspective. I am very passionate about providing meaningful assistance to others' capacity for emotional growth and healing creating a lasting change. I feel like I am living the dream as I get to help others in a very meaningful way that lasts.

Ideal clients

I enjoy working with individuals who struggle managing the stress in their lives because they do not understand how their brain is functioning during their day-to-day situations. Once the client explains their concerns, I work with them to develop a mindset better able to focus on the present. I practice different coping skills with clients to assess what really works for them.

Treatment methods

EMDR

I specialize in treating PTSD and use trauma informed CBT to guide clients through calming their day-to-day stress levels. This type of therapy separates out some memories rendering them into historical memories so that as day-to-day stressors occur there are less memory pathways firing causing stress levels to decrease. I use reflective listening to understand the unique situation and reinforce previously used solutions along with introducing and practicing new coping mechanisms.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I assist individuals in reframing their thoughts as they figure out how best to manage their unique situations. I also use brain anatomy and physiology to assist individuals in understanding how post-traumatic growth can occur.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

This type of therapy uses mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation. This is an interesting method for managing anxiety, depression, and day-to-day stress.

Location

Virtual sessions

In-person sessions
1768 Edmon Way, Riverside, CA 92501

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Schedule 60 min