Christina Adams, LICSW (she/her)

“Being human is not about being any one particular way; it is about being as life creates you—with your own particular strengths and weaknesses, gifts and challenges, quirks and oddities.” — Kristin Neff

When was the last time you allowed yourself to be soft? Messy? Flawed? Vulnerable? Do you find yourself pushing away the imperfect parts of yourself due to shame, fear, or the pain they cause? It’s only human to do this in an attempt to keep yourself safe, but so many of us find over time that it ends up hurting you all the same. Perfectionism, poor body image or self-worth, anxiety, and disordered eating can all be painful ways of coping with experiences or messages we have encountered throughout our lives that told us we are wrong for being our full, human selves. Therapy can be so many wonderful things, and my primary goal is for it to be a nonjudgmental space for you to set down the burden of trying to be perfect and get to know your authentic self and the wisdom you already hold.

My approach to therapy

I offer sessions with individuals both in person and virtually and aim to create a relaxed and conversational environment that encourages you to be open and honest, whether that looks like tears, laughter, or anything else that might come up. I want to hear your truth, unconditionally, even if it sounds ridiculous. Having my own experiences with many of the topics I am passionate about in my work means I probably get it, and I might just say as much while we explore different perspectives! I work best with adults who are open to questioning their status quo, taking on the sometimes-uncomfortable work to make change, and who want therapy to be a collaborative process where we seek out answers together rather than a directive process where I tell you how to fix a problem.

My approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that you are the greatest expert on your life and your needs, and that we are both imperfect humans who are working together to find a path toward a brighter future for you. I use gentle directness, playful sarcasm, humor, and compassion in sessions, and work with a Health at Every Size (HAES®), LGBTQAI2S+ affirming, and anti-oppressive lens. While I utilize interventions from a wide variety of therapeutic modalities, some of the ones I use most include:

Mindful Self-Compassion and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT): To build a foundation of kindness toward yourself, your experiences, and your struggles.
Liberation Psychology: To acknowledge the realities of oppression that shape the way we engage with ourselves and the world around us.
Internal Family Systems (IFS or ‘parts work’): To understand and heal the wounded parts of yourself.

In my personal life, I am often found snuggling with my cat (the center of my universe), spending time in the forest or by the water, listening to pop music, or playing cozy video games. I love connecting with clients about shared interests and welcome chats about these.