Hello! My name is Christina Gaines. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Masters Certified Addiction Professional (MCAP) based in Florida. I also hold licenses in New Hampshire (Licensed Clinical Mental Counselor, LCHMC) and Kentucky (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor). I received my Master's from the University of North Florida and have been practicing for 14 years. You are here because you are exploring the idea of starting therapy to better your mental health and the idea of putting your trust into a complete stranger can seem terrifying. But it is my goal provide a safe and comfortable environment to allow clients to explore obstacles with concerns related to anxiety, depression, self-esteem and/or self-care. I focus on helping clients develop assertive communication & boundaries with themselves and those around them that can help improve their quality of life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then you will have the opportunity to ask any questions related to the therapeutic process and ensure you feel this is a good fit for you. After this we will work together to identify a plan with your short- and long-term goals for therapy based on the specific challenges you are facing.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I feel my greatest strength as a provider is my ability to listen and help clients find their own strengths that they may have lost sight of. I have worked in almost any treatment setting you can think of over the years, and I find that having the ability to be flexible in my therapeutic approaches to tailor treatment to my client's needs have shown successful outcomes with my client's time and time again.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I have been in the field for many years now and have found that I have been most helpful to adolescents and adults struggling with feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and dealing with significant life changes (moving, loss of a relationship, grief, job stress, and/or having a baby).
About Christina Gaines
Specializes in
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I have been in the field for over 14 years and have found person centered counseling techniques to be highly effective. It has always been important to me to meet clients where they are at in the moment to help identify their goals so they can live their best life possible. I tend to utilize the treatment methods that would best based on clients' current needs and symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to be a method that can be very useful for clients struggling with anxiety/depression or having difficulty managing intrusive thoughts. This method is a great way to identify and challenge unhealthy thoughts such "I am not enough" or "There is something wrong with me".