Christen Thompson, LMHC

Christen Thompson is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Florida who uses a mix of practical, goal-focused approaches to help people manage difficult problems. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside acceptance and attachment-informed methods to help clients change unhelpful patterns and build more meaningful daily routines.

Christen came to counseling through her own long recovery journey that began in the 1990s. That personal experience shaped her interest in addiction work and in helping people reclaim steady ground after setbacks. She moved into clinical roles in south Florida and developed hands-on experience running programs and designing curricula for high-stress workers.

Over nine years in professional practice she has worked directly in addiction care and in intensive outpatient settings. Her background includes leading a Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program and providing individual therapy. Those roles gave her experience with program design, supervision, and day-to-day clinical work.

In sessions she blends straightforward cognitive-behavioral tools with acceptance and attachment-informed work. That means clients can expect help identifying unhelpful thinking, practicing new coping skills, and noticing how past relationships shape current emotions. Christen also uses client-centered and DBT-informed strategies when they fit a person’s goals.

She helps with a wide range of concerns including addiction, trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep and eating struggles, parenting stress, and caregiver strain. Sessions are offered in English and available to international clients through remote formats.

How cognitive and acceptance approaches work online

Christen often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT sessions typically include skill practice, thought records, and experiments to change patterns that feed anxiety, depression, or addiction.

She also incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to teach values-based action and acceptance of difficult emotions. ACT can be useful when people feel stuck or overwhelmed by feelings they can’t control.

Attachment-Based work helps clients notice how early relationships shape current reactions and closeness with others. This approach supports improving intimacy, trust, and emotional regulation in relationships.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Christen works collaboratively to match methods to a person’s goals, needs, and preferences. She checks in and adjusts the plan so therapy stays useful and focused.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is helpful for more in-depth skill work and reading nonverbal cues. Phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is needed. Live chat or text messaging can fit quick updates, brief coping support, or people who prefer written conversation. These options aim to make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into busy lives.