Hi there, I'm Christine. It is a real privilege in life to serve as a therapist, and I greatly appreciate your bravery and vulnerability in seeking out support. I strongly believe in the importance and healing nature of being seen, heard, and understood within a warm, therapeutic relationship, combined with evidence-based techniques, such as EMDR and Compassion-Focused CBT. As a therapist, I am committed to compassionate, curious support to help you live authentically, joyfully, and reclaim that kindness towards yourself to navigate difficulties in life. I tend to be gentle, sensitive, and flexible in my approach, tailoring what I do to your desired direction. A little bit about my background: I earned a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Arts (Majors: Psychology, English, Creative Writing) from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. I started in the mental health field when I ran an LGBTQ+ Sexual Assault Support Group; volunteered as a crisis counselor; and interned during my master's program as a therapist at specialty Trauma/Grief and Anxiety/OCD clinics. And for the past few years, I had been a therapist for intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, supporting those who needed more regular support for mental health. I find it immensely rewarding supporting Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), Autistic/ADHD adults, trauma survivors, and those with anxiety, depression, stress, and grief/loss. I have lived experience as a Highly Sensitive Person on the spectrum, and have personally experienced trauma - and healing from trauma. I would be honored to support you in your journey, and encourage you to reach out if you feel that we may be a good fit together.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we will start with brief introductions and, at your level of comfort, start to learn more about your story. We will also start to map out a desired direction in therapy, whether you simply want to talk through life challenges or had specific goals in mind. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in future sessions. I will also check in to ensure you feel we are a good fit together, then schedule our next session.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
It is my greatest strength that I have deep, sustained compassion for those from all walks of life, and advocate for those who are often misunderstood. I'm often described as having a “quiet confidence” and am skilled at balancing passion with wisdom. I am committed to engaging in regular self-reflection and consultation with other therapists. I tend to be the go-to resource for Highly Sensitive People, Autism, ADHD, Bipolar, and Trauma/Grief. I'm endlessly curious about learning more about these areas and to continually grow, evolve, and provide the most healing experiences I can for my clients. I embrace my sensitive nature as a therapist and offer gentleness, kindness, and validation as core to my approach. I believe in respecting my clients' autonomy, which may look like respecting your comfort levels in what you choose to discuss - or strategies we use together. I tend to be well-suited to those who like deep dives and coming to new insights.
About Christine MacKenzie
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma Informed Care
As a trauma therapist, I have experience working with complex trauma and negative life events in all shapes and forms. I deeply understand the impact that can have on someone over time. I strongly believe in the importance of building trust, connection, and a warm therapeutic relationship that is strengths-based and helps clients to feel at home with themselves and promote healing, growth, resources, and inner safety. I am passionate about best supporting my clients through the darkest moments of life.
Compassion Focused
Compassion is knitted into every aspect of my approach as a therapist. So commonly, those who experience waves of anxiety/depression without truly feeling like the root has been addressed struggle with a lack of self-compassion and self-kindness. Compassion is not a stand-alone tool, but rather a shifting of the ways we face suffering and everyday life towards kindness, connection, and mindfulness. Compassion-Focused therapy moves us away from that harshness towards ourselves and towards authenticity, joy, and meeting our unmet needs with genuine, unconditional kindness.
EMDR
I am EMDR-trained (EMDRIA Approved Training). In a nutshell, EMDR is a specialized, evidence-based therapy that helps you reprocess and reduce the emotional intensity around traumatic memories. It can often help clients get unstuck from unhelpful beliefs and move into feeling more present and at peace.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize evidence-based techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to support clients to develop helpful, compassionate thoughts/beliefs about themselves, others, and the world, as well as to develop coping skills, engaging in activities, and reducing anxiety, depression, and other concerns. My approach with CBT will honor your lived experience in the world and balance that with your desired direction in therapy.
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