Hello, and welcome to my profile! I am licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT, ATR-BC, CADC II, LPC) with over a decade of experience working in Mental health and Substance Abuse. I specialize in trauma, existential crisis, identity issues, marriage and family, stress, anger, grief, loss, and addiction.
I am passionate about neuroscience which lead me to pursue training in EMDR, an effective treatment for PTSD. I seek to integrate ancient wisdom practices in my therapeutic approach, am LGBTQ* affirming and am an advocate for social justice. I work with my clients to co-create an authentic space where client and therapist meet as equals. I graduated with a Masters from the College of New Rochelle, and served on the board of the New York Art Therapy Association.
When not working I enjoy watching stand up comedy, solo backpacking, hiking, or making art.
In 2012 I developed Broken Bowl, an experiential art therapy workshop based on the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi and the ancient practice of Kintsugi. Kintsugi is the painstaking practice of repairing broken pottery with gold. These approaches treat the cycle of breakage and repair as a part of an object's history rather than something to be discarded or disguised. The artist must move through a process of confronting change, accepting change, and deciding how to move forward with what is left.
For me, the essence of healing is looking at what you have, and deciding how to make the best of it so you can move forward. I firmly believe that resiliency is innate, and you have the ability to bounce back from adversity. I would be honored to help you unpack and unlock your own resilience!
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Attachment issues, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Fertility Issues, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Immigration Issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Smoking/Vaping Cessation, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused Therapy
OR LPC C5401
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Christa Brennan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Christa creates a positive and open environment to share. I have had two sessions and feel weight on my heart being lifted. Very thankful that I matched with Christa and for BetterHelp
Written on Aug 02, 2022 after therapy with Christa for 6 days on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes
Christa has been phenomenal. I've had trouble with therapy in the past because most of my previous counselors weren't fully understanding what my issues are but Christa gets it and comes up with tangible solutions to try working on problems
Written on Sep 28, 2021 after therapy with Christa for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Christa Brennan is a compassionate professional who has not only listened thoroughly about my daily struggles, but has also been incredibly helpful through motivating me to find the resources I need to get better. Conversation doesn't feel like a chore in discussing my problems and finding solutions, and I never thought I would be saying that I look forward to my therapy appointments like I do now. I would recommend Christa to anyone searching for help from a kind and knowledgeable counselor.
Written on Aug 13, 2021 after therapy with Christa for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
We’ve only had one session, but Christa immediately put me at ease regarding my apprehension about seeking help, and allowed me to describe my issues without interruption. I feel as though she has the necessary expertise to help me gain better perspective , and provide me with tools to use going forward.
Written on Jul 08, 2021 after therapy with Christa for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Compassionate, easy to talk to, broad reaching intelligence., and offers great insights and suggestions.
Written on Jul 04, 2021 after therapy with Christa for 2 weeks on issues concerning lgbt, family conflicts, and parenting issues