Lorette Cristino

LCSW, 13 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who supports individuals, couples, and families navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, and divorce. I provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their experiences, process difficult emotions, and gain greater self-awareness. My approach is both supportive and practical, helping clients develop healthier communication patterns, strengthen coping skills, and manage stress more effectively. I work collaboratively with clients to build resilience, improve relationships, and move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and emotional well-being.

Get to know me

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

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and it is completely normal to feel a mix of emotions before your first session. Some people feel hopeful and ready to talk, while others may feel nervous, unsure of what to expect, or uncertain about where to begin. My goal during our first session is to create a comfortable, supportive environment where you feel heard, respected, and understood. Our first session is primarily about getting to know you and understanding what has brought you to therapy. We will talk about the challenges you are currently facing, any recent events or stressors that may be impacting you, and what you hope to gain from the therapeutic process. You do not need to prepare anything in advance or have everything figured out before you arrive. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we will work together to explore your concerns at a pace that feels comfortable for you. During this initial session, I will ask questions about different areas of your life to gain a fuller understanding of your experiences and background. This may include discussing your current relationships, family dynamics, emotional well-being, stress levels, and any significant life transitions you may be navigating. If you are coming to therapy because of relationship challenges, divorce, co-parenting stress, or family conflict, we may spend time discussing the history of those relationships and how they are currently affecting you. The purpose of these questions is not to judge or analyze you, but to help me understand your perspective and experiences more clearly. Everyone’s story is unique, and learning about your personal history helps guide the direction of therapy in a way that is meaningful and helpful for you. Many clients come to their first session wondering if they will be expected to share everything about their life immediately. There is no pressure to disclose more than you feel comfortable sharing. Therapy is a process that develops over time, and trust is something that grows gradually. You are always in control of what you choose to discuss, and we will move at a pace that respects your comfort level. In addition to learning about you, the first session is also an opportunity for you to learn about my approach to therapy and how we might work together. I believe therapy works best when it is collaborative, meaning that we work as a team to identify goals, explore patterns, and develop practical strategies that support your well-being. My role is t

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel comfortable sharing difficult experiences and emotions. Many individuals begin therapy feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or hesitant about opening up. I prioritize building a strong therapeutic relationship so clients feel safe, respected, and understood from the very beginning. When clients feel supported and validated, they are better able to explore challenges, gain insight, and work toward meaningful change. Another key strength of my therapeutic approach is my ability to help clients navigate complex relationship dynamics. Much of my work focuses on individuals and families who are experiencing relationship stress, divorce, co-parenting challenges, or adjustments within blended families. These situations often involve strong emotions, ongoing conflict, and difficult communication patterns. I help clients better understand these dynamics while also developing practical strategies that reduce conflict and improve relationships over time. I also bring a balanced approach to therapy that combines emotional support with practical tools and strategies. While it is important to have space to process feelings and experiences, many clients are also looking for guidance and skills that they can apply outside of the therapy session. My approach focuses on helping clients gain insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behavioral patterns while also learning concrete techniques for managing stress, improving communication, and responding more effectively to challenging situations. My experience working with individuals navigating divorce and separation is another area that stands out in my work. The end of a relationship can bring a wide range of emotions, including grief, anger, confusion, and fear about the future. Clients often feel a sense of loss not only related to the relationship itself but also to the life they had imagined. I support clients through this process by helping them process the emotional impact of the transition while also focusing on rebuilding confidence, clarity, and stability as they move forward. In addition to emotional processing, I often help clients develop strategies for managing the practical realities that accompany divorce and separation. This may include learning how to set healthy boundaries, improving communication with a former partner, managing conflict more effectively, and creating a stronger se

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

My ideal clients are individuals, couples, and parents who are navigating complex life transitions, relationship challenges, or family dynamics and are seeking a supportive, structured space to process their experiences and move forward in a healthier way. Many of the people I work with are going through or recovering from divorce, managing high-conflict co-parenting relationships, adjusting to blended family dynamics, or trying to rebuild their sense of stability and identity after significant life changes. I often work with individuals who feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in repetitive conflict patterns, or uncertain about how to move forward in their personal or relational lives. Some clients come to therapy feeling frustrated, anxious, or emotionally exhausted from ongoing relationship stress, while others may be struggling with sadness, grief, anger, or confusion related to the end of a relationship or major family transition. Many of my clients are looking for practical tools to help them cope with stress, improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and make thoughtful decisions about their next steps. A large portion of my work focuses on individuals navigating divorce or separation. This process can bring up a wide range of emotions, including grief, fear, resentment, uncertainty, and loss of identity. I support clients through these transitions by helping them process the emotional impact of the relationship ending while also focusing on practical strategies for moving forward. Therapy can provide a place to work through difficult feelings, rebuild self-confidence, and develop a clearer vision for the future. I am also well positioned to support parents who are navigating co-parenting challenges. Co-parenting can be particularly stressful when there is unresolved conflict, differences in parenting styles, communication breakdowns, or lingering emotional tension between former partners. Many parents come to therapy because they want to reduce conflict, protect their children from ongoing tension, and create healthier boundaries within the co-parenting relationship. Together, we work on developing communication strategies, conflict-management skills, and structured approaches that support both the parent and the child’s emotional well-being. Another group of clients I frequently work with includes individuals and families adjusting to blended family life. Blended families often face unique challenges, including shifting roles, loyalty conf

SpecialtiesTop specialties
Other specialties
I identify as
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and problematic behaviors. In my practice, I work collaboratively with clients to recognize the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, particularly during high-stress situations such as divorce, co-parenting conflicts, and relationship transitions. I help clients develop practical coping strategies, including cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation techniques, and behavioral activation. CBT interventions are frequently used to support clients experiencing anxiety, depression, and adjustment-related stressors. My approach focuses on helping clients build insight into their internal narratives while also developing concrete skills they can apply in their daily lives.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

I incorporate Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients identify their strengths, resources, and existing coping abilities. Rather than focusing solely on problems, this approach emphasizes practical steps clients can take to move toward their desired outcomes. In my work with individuals and couples navigating divorce, co-parenting challenges, and blended family dynamics, I use solution-focused questioning to help clients clarify goals, identify exceptions to problems, and develop realistic action steps. This method supports clients in building confidence, increasing motivation, and recognizing their capacity to create meaningful change.

Strength-Based

A Strengths-Based approach is central to my clinical work. I believe that each client brings resilience, personal insight, and unique capabilities that can be harnessed during the therapeutic process. I intentionally help clients identify and build upon their strengths while navigating difficult life transitions such as separation, parenting conflicts, and relationship stress. By highlighting client resilience and adaptive skills, I support individuals in developing self-efficacy, improving decision-making, and fostering healthier interpersonal dynamics. This approach is particularly helpful for clients who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or discouraged by ongoing relational stressors.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.