About Christy Birgen, LPC, LMFT, Owner/Director

I’m Christy, former banker turned counselor when the corporate world left me unfulfilled and restless. After over 20 years in the banking industry, I began to feel God’s call to something more. My life experience and recognition of the brokenness in our world brought me to pursue mental health counseling later in life.

Now, I work with couples, individuals, and families to help anchor them in their place of relational, spiritual, emotional, and personal well-being.

I am a Christian and my relationship with Jesus influences the way that I see people, relationships, and the world. Faith is the cornerstone of how I live life and influences who I am as a counselor with my clients.

I firmly and wholeheartedly believe that we are created for connection and that it is “hard-wired” into who we are. When our relationships are not OK, we are not OK. This includes our relationship with ourself, relationship with others, and our relationship with God.

My approach to therapy is grounded in the emotional human experience, with a Christian framework. My style combines the science of attachment theory, the power of emotion as a change agent, and integration of psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. I view counseling as a safe place of acceptance and compassion where client and therapist work together to bring the client back to their personal place of hope and well-being.

I believe in the power of the emotional human experience to bring change and contentment. Attachment science tells us that when we feel safe, accepted, known, and loved – we can face anything. Even our greatest fears can be overcome when we are not alone but with a “trusted other”. It is my prayer that you experience this in our time together.

In addition to my formal education and training, my approach is seasoned by who I am as a “wounded healer” and founded by my Christian worldview.

I work individuals, couples, and families who are experiencing relationship distress, betrayal trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and more. I have a passion to journey with my clients as they pursue hope, healing, and authenticity with God, themselves, and others.

Christy’s rate is $120 for individual counseling and $150 for couples or families. If you would like to meet with Christy, just let us know in the contact form!

See my services

Experience & Education

I received my B.S. in Psychology, M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia
I have been practicing since December 2017
I am duel licensed, as a licensed professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist
I have completed 40 hours of LPC and LMFT Supervisor Training and have supervised two graduate student counselors

I am trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. This is considered the “gold standard” of couples therapy. I am working toward certification.
I am trained in Attachment-based Interventions
I have completed coursework in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy, to include working with trauma
I am Building a Lasting Connection® trained

I am a member of three professional organizations:

American Association of Christian Counselors
International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

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Three Facts About Me

Lover of people

For as long as I can remember, I have had a natural tendency to connect with people in a genuine way. I believe it is a gift that God has given me. Relationships are what life is all about!

God's creation restores my soul

Whether I am searching for peace and connection to God, or I am looking for fun and adventure, nature calls and I go as often as I can. The ocean is my peaceful place, but you can often find me hiking, kayaking, or rv'ing just about anywhere.

Married with two adult children

Our family is a blended family and has a military background. I understand that life can be challenging and relationships require intention, grace, forgiveness, and authenticity. As a recent empty-nester and dedicated dog mom, I spoil my two furry babies while I wait for grandkids.

My Values

Faith

I am a Christian and hold a biblical worldview. This shapes how I see human beings and relationships. Christian or other faith integration is at your leading and comfort level, as I believe that faith and spirituality are vital to healing and wellness. To learn more about Christian integration, click here.

Acceptance

My office is a place of safety and non-judgement where you will feel heard and understood. It is is essential for my clients to feel comfortable to share whatever is needed. Healing can only take place in the presence of light.

Compassion

As a seasoned human who has been blessed to be on this earth for over a half century, I have lived enough life to know the pain and suffering that is sometimes encountered. I will be present with you and you will know that you are not alone. Together we can help you find your way back to your place of well-being.

Confidentiality

As you set aside time to do the hard work of counseling, I understand that things are shared in our time together that are personal and perhaps have never been spoken of before. Counseling is a sacred space. You can be assured that what you share is kept private and confidential.