907-744-7969
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Licensed Professional Counselor
Christine is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Alaska, and formerly in the State of Minnesota. She earned her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Capella University. Her graduate internship was completed at Tubman Family Alliance, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here she worked with individuals, men, women, children, and the community, helping to free them from violence.
She has worked in the mental health field for close to twenty years, in a wide range of settings. Her skill set was developed and honed while working at a psychiatric inpatient hospital, running a drop-in center for those with a serious and persistent mental illness, behind the scenes for an insurance company doing utilization review, doing phone counseling and crisis intervention for a busy crisis hotline, developed and implemented a national psychological program with the National Guard, as well as individual therapy in a remote Alaskan village and a local tribal community clinic.
Christine enjoys working with adults that are experiencing depression, anxiety, mood disorders, grief and loss issues, relationship struggles, life transitions, career difficulties, and stress and trauma.
Welcome
I currently offer tele- behavioral health services to those residing in the State of Alaska. I provide integrated assessments and individual psychotherapy to those that are looking for mental health services. I can assist you by helping you overcome hardships, deal with the stresses of every day life, and provide a listening ear to guide you down the right path. I find myself meeting my clients where they are at, and interjecting as necessary. Change can be hard and I will be with you during your journey. Contact me to begin taking your steps to a healthier and happier life!
Integrated Assessments
The assessment process is a time for your therapist to learn about you as a whole person. Questions will be asked about current and past mental health and substance abuse history for both you, and your family, a thorough look at your background and social history, education and employment, as well as financial and legal history. During completion of the assessment, we will discuss your treatment plan goals and objectives. This is a collaborative approach, and an opportunity for us to develop a plan for time in counseling.
Individual Psychotherapy
Individual therapy will be conducted using a variety of modalities. Your therapist will determine the best approach, based on the outcomes of your assessment. This is an opportunity for you to talk without judgment. It is important that you feel safe and respected and your therapist will do all she can to make you comfortable. The time reserved for your session, is YOUR time. To make the most of this time, plan ahead and think about what you'd like to discuss.
Consulting
Please contact me directly to discuss services that may be offered.
Tele- behavioral health
What an amazing time we live in where you can connect with your therapist from the comfort of your own home! Alaska is a big state, and many can't or don't have access to services. Whether you live in Barrow, Nome, Valdez, the end of the Aleutian chain, along the inside passage, or on the mainland, you now have a compassionate and experienced therapist that can work with you. Your mental health needs are my priority.
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Tele-behavioral health (teleBH) involves the use of interactive audio and video telecommunications that permits real- time communication between you and your therapist. You MUST have a strong internet connection, a smartphone, desktop or laptop that has both video and microphone capabilities. A test session will be conducted prior to your initial session to demonstrate connectivity reliability.
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Why TeleBH?
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TeleBH expands access to those that may otherwise not be able to access services. Individuals that live in remote/rural locations, as well as those that are home-bound or have a mental health disorder that prevents them from leaving their home.
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It saves time. Even for those that live on the road system, driving to see a provider can be time consuming. Oftentimes a one way trip can be 60 miles. Utilizing teleBH allows you to save time on the road and on gas.
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Shortens delays. If you are limited to seeing a provider in the town you live in, there may be a significant waitlist. Opening up the perimeter of possible therapists, gets you seen sooner, rather than later.
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Research continues to show that teleBH services is as effective as face- to- face services. TeleBH is growing and is a great option for those that may otherwise hold off on services.
TeleBH may not be for everyone. During your assessment your therapist will be able to determine if remote teleBH services are an option for you. If it is determined that face- to- face sessions would serve you better, a referral can be made at that time.
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Counseling Orientation
Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a goal oriented therapeutic approach that focuses on how our thinking influences our behavior. A counselor working with an individual with this approach, will work to identify and challenge that individuals maladaptive thinking and then the behaviors that contribute to the problem/s. Homework is common with this type of therapeutic approach. Homework will be tailored towards the goals the individual is working on in- session and will be completed in- between sessions. Counseling sessions are oftentimes structured to so that the client is able to make incremental progress towards the goals they are working on.
Cognitive- Behavioral Theory emphasizes the cognitions or thoughts that a person has as an explanation as to how people develop and how they may then get a mental disorder. Those working under this theory generally believe in the role of social learning in childhood development, and the ideas of modeling and reinforcement. From these experiences, personalities are formed in which critical learning, identification of appropriate (and inappropriate) thoughts and feelings, and imitation of these behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. If parents act a certain way while a child is growing up, that child will then most likely grow up to act much of the same way. If an individual’s drives aren’t properly reinforced and developed through healthy and proper social interactions, they may then learn unhealthy ways of coping with stress and life problems; this is where the term dysfunction stems from and is a natural offshoot of this theory.
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Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy is tailored to work with an individual’s irrational and faulty thinking patterns and behaviors, by educating them and reinforcing the positive experiences that will lead to fundamental changes in the way that person copes. This approach is generally more directive and therapists may mimic that of teachers at times. Therapy is typically short- term (3-9 months, or around 10-35 sessions). Different techniques may be used and is dependent upon each client and their presenting problem.
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Integrative Theories
Integrative Theories can also be known as an eclectic approach. Some may argue that this really isn’t a theoretical orientation at all. This theory was laid out as a way to provide various aspects of many orientations with the assumption that the resulting theory would highlight the most effective approaches of its parts. There was a wide array of orientations being released into the therapeutic world, competitiveness among clinicians, and ineffectiveness of any one theory to treat a variety of individuals. This approach allows for the clinician to use a mix of theories that may be most effective for each individual client.
Integrative Psychotherapy incorporates convenient and evidence- based treatments from a range of approaches with respect to which approaches are effective for specific disorders. The goal is to holistically enhance an individual’s functioning while underlining a client’s inherent value in all areas of life.
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Holistic and integrative therapy involves the merging of many elements of several theories into practice. In addition to traditional talk therapy, holistic therapy may involve nontraditional therapies such as hypnotherapy or guided imagery. Again, the goal is to use a technique that is best suited for each individual client and the problem they present with.
Fees
It is best to contact me directly to discuss fees.
All services are self- pay. I do not bill insurance directly. All payments are due at the time services are rendered. I can provide you with a Superbill and this will allow you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement of services.
It is your responsibility to contact your insurance to inquire about what behavioral health benefits they cover.
Please contact me to discuss further.
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How does a superbill payment work you may ask?
If a therapist is considered out of network (which I am), this means that I have no affiliation with your insurance carrier. This is why it's important for you to contact your insurance carrier directly, to ask whether they will be able to reimburse you for payment. Advise them that the typical codes used will be the following:
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Integrated Assessment: CPT code: 90791
Psychotherapy (53 minutes): CPT code: 90837
Psychotherapy (45 minutes): CPT code: 90834
Psychotherapy (30 minutes): CPT code: 90832
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Integrated Assessment (updated annually): $450.00
Psychotherapy (53 minutes): $260.00
Psychotherapy (45 minutes): $235.00
Psychotherapy (30 minutes): $185.00
Case Management (per 15 minutes): $35.00
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If you need to cancel your session, I require a minimum of 24 hours notice. Anything less than that will be your responsibility and will be assessed at the regular session fee. This will be discussed more during the intake process.
If you have VA benefits or Tricare West, please let me know and we can discuss further.
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I do offer a sliding fee scale and/or pro bono work on a limited basis (for those that are either uninsured, have Medicaid or Medicare).
Schedule a Session
I offer a free 15- minute initial phone consultation.  Ready to get started? Give me a call today.
Kenai , AK, USA
907-744-7969
