Christine Rivlin, LPCC #16395
My educational background consists of earning my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master's in clinical counseling, and a Master's in Addictions. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselr (LPCC #16395) and am a certified addictions counselor. My areas of concentration include grief and significant trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addictions, and a sub-concentration in eating disorders.
My past clinical experience includes working for a crisis center where the majority of clients experienced issues related to suicide, homicide, domestic violence, and child and elder abuse. These issues impact people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups. I have also worked for a county-based permanent assisted housing development where all of the clients have experienced episodes of homelessness, and have been significantly impacted by issues of trauma, depression, addictions, domestic violence, and child abuse.
Together we will explore ways to grow, further develop self-acceptance and unearth traumatic experiences and daily stressors that are hindering you from achieving this potential. I will be available to provide an unbiased listening ear and warm spirit as you reimagine the life you want for yourself. In this safe and accepting environment, we will develop an action plan to better manage your unique symptoms and your life.
Educational and Clinical Background
My educational background consists of earning my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master's in clinical counseling, and a Master's in Addictions. I am a National Certified Counselor and am a certified addictions counselor. My areas of concentration include grief and significant trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addictions, and a sub-concentration in eating disorders.
My past clinical experience includes working for a crisis center where the majority of clients experienced issues related to suicide, homicide, domestic violence, and child and elder abuse. These issues impact people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups. I have also worked for a county-based permanent assisted housing development where all of the clients have experienced episodes of homelessness, and have been significantly impacted by issues of trauma, depression, addictions, domestic violence, and child abuse.
Safety, Processing Emotions, and Coping Skills
I use evidence based, solution focused modalities of treatment. Because each person is different and responds differently to treatment ,these include, but are not limited to Cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help one become aware of negative or inaccurate thinking and work toward reframing thoughts to better deal with challenging situations. Dialectical behavioral therapy to deal with intense emotions, and learn to understand and accept feelings. Motivational interviewing for addictions where the client is encouraged to maintain sobriety by identifying their intrinsic motivations and values. By utilizing Trauma informed care, I can help evaluate each individual's trauma and its impact on their behavior, mental and physical health, and their ability to participate and engage in treatment.
we will work together to establish a trusting and collaborative relationship. I encourage openness and vulnerability as this is often the path to personal growth development. I will provide a compassionate and empathetic environment that will help you towards your road to self-discovery and potential. This road is not without challenges, but it is where we can identify your strengths, build your confidence, and promote healthy ways to improve your self-esteem.
Depression, Anxiety, Life-Stressors
Depression can leave us feeling helpless, overwhelmed, and incapable of participating in everyday life. We may experience, loss of interest in things, Difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping or waking lack of motivation or feelings of intense sadness. Additionally, anxiety may cause us to feel alone and isolated. We may worry excessively, have difficulty concentrating experience racing thoughts, have difficulty completing tasks, or feel irritable.
The symptoms of depression and/or anxiety can cause challenges within our family and relationships. These feelings can interfere with our careers and achieving goals, and impact our physical and mental well-being. By understanding what may be causing these challenges, and through changing negative thoughts and patterns growth is possible and your goals are attainable.
Depression and anxiety can be rooted in many causes including daily stressors, grief or trauma, relationships, work/life balance, and lack of support. I will work with you to alleviate these symptoms and help improve your quality of life by understanding the root of the problems and targeting these issues.
Trauma/PTSD
Most everyone has been through a stressful event in his or her life. When the event, or series of events, causes an excessive amount of stress, it is called a traumatic event. Symptoms of traumatic events can include a sense of horror, helplessness, serious injury, or the threat of serious injury or death. Traumatic events can affect anyone. Responses to traumatic events vary from person to person and can include, but are not limited to depression, fear, grief, and anxiety. Physical responses can include nausea, dizziness, appetite changes, sleep changes and loss of interest, and withdrawal from daily activities. Most people report feeling better within three months after a traumatic event. If the problems become worse or last longer than one month after the event, the person may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
I work with acute trauma resulting from a recent single event, including rape, suicide, murder, or natural disaster events, chronic trauma which can be repeated events over a long period of time including domestic violence, abuse, and complex trauma which is exposure to multiple and varied traumatic events which can often be of an invasive and interpersonal nature. Through various modalities, including trauma informed therapy. We will take into account the impact of trauma on behavior, emotions and emotional regulation and work towards developing coping skills for life stressors.
PTSD is an intense emotional or physical response to the traumatic events and may last many months after the event. Symptoms of PTSD can include panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, and feeling isolated. I will work with you to develop and maintain coping strategies to move forward in a healthy way.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are conditions that cause disturbances to your diet and the way you view and consume food. You may eat too little, too much, or become obsessed with rituals around food. Those with eating disorders are often preoccupied with weight and body image. I will explore various types of treatments with you and collaborate with your medical team as necessary.
Addictions
The four C's of addiction are referred to as craving, compulsion, control, and consequences. I work with clients with substance and behavioral and impulsive addictions that are looking for additional support coming out of in-patient treatment, partial hospitalization programs, or intensive outpatient programs. We will address the root cause of the addiction, develop healthy stress management tools, create a support system, and work to improve overall health and psychological well-being.
Family and Couples Therapy
I work with couples and families that are or have experienced grief or trauma, or may be facing addiction issues. We will work together and collaborate on how to improve communication, process experiences and support each other through challenges that you may be facing.
I can help you achieve the quality of life you are wanting. I provide individual therapy sessions for 50 minutes/$150 per session and couples therapy sessions for 50 minutes/$180 per session.
Feel free to contact me for a free 20-minute consultation.
Email: christine.rivlin@gmail.com
Phone #: 925-718-6162