Supporting Young Hearts Through Growth, Loss or Change
I specialize in working with children, teens, and their families, as well as adults who are young at heart. Early intervention is well supported as a powerful contributor to lasting change. When a child or teen has experienced trauma, loss, major life transitions, academic stress, or challenges related to neurodivergence, learning, or emotional regulation, therapy can offer meaningful opportunities to shift their developmental and relational outcomes.
The brains of children and adolescents are still developing, and neural pathways are continually being formed and strengthened through experience. Over time, these pathways shape patterns of emotion, bodily sensation, thought, and behavior. I often describe young children as highly malleable, like putty, while teens are more like soft clay: still flexible, though beginning to hold form. Therapy offers a supportive space where I can work alongside families to better understand patterns of distress, address underlying wounds, and support healing in ways that are sustainable over time.
Oaklander Play Therapy
Violet Oaklander Play Therapy is a Gestalt-based approach commonly used in child therapy that supports children in bringing unconscious experiences into everyday awareness. Through play-based and expressive tools such as sand tray, dollhouse, art, clay, figurines, and projection cards, clients are invited to explore their inner and outer worlds in ways that feel natural and accessible. This increased awareness often supports improved emotional expression, communication, and family and social dynamics. When autonomy is an important part of a child’s healing process, Christina offers a client-led approach while prioritizing safety, trust, and the therapeutic relationship.
TF-CBT
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based approach designed to support children and teens who have experienced trauma, loss, or overwhelming life events. TF-CBT helps young people build emotional regulation and coping skills while gradually and safely processing difficult experiences. Caregivers play an essential role in this model, and their involvement supports connection, communication, and healing beyond the therapy room. When offered in a developmentally attuned and relational way, TF-CBT can reduce trauma-related symptoms while helping children and teens regain a sense of safety, resilience, and self-trust.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting, often described by the phrase “Where you look affects how you feel,” is a trauma-informed modality developed by David Grand. A “brainspot” refers to an eye position that can access stored emotional or somatic experiences. Emerging from EMDR, Brainspotting allows for deep, body-based processing without the pressure of talk therapy. Clients are gently guided to notice sensations, emotions, or thoughts that arise while maintaining clinically indicated eye positions. When working with children, Christina often incorporates developmentally appropriate focal points such as decorated popsicle sticks or stuffed animals to support engagement and regulation.