Christine Heikkenen-Black, LPC

Christine Heikkenen-Black is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Colorado who focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, and life changes. She uses practical, evidence-informed approaches to help clients make concrete shifts in how they think and act. Her style is direct and compassionate, aiming to make the first step into therapy feel less overwhelming.

With nine years of counseling experience, she draws on a range of methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and attachment-based work. She adapts interventions to fit each person’s situation, listening first and then suggesting tested strategies to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. Sessions are collaborative and paced to the client's comfort.

She has worked across school and community settings and has experience addressing addictions, trauma and abuse, and adjustment to chronic pain or illness. Christine also helps people navigate career stress, parenting and fatherhood concerns, separation and divorce, and financial or life-purpose questions. Communication problems and control issues are commonly addressed in her sessions.

When panic attacks, social anxiety, or post-traumatic stress are present, she offers focused behavioral strategies and skills training. She also uses client-centered and dialectical behavior therapy approaches to strengthen emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. The overall aim is to help people regain control and move toward valued goals.

Christine speaks English and provides care through multiple online formats. She emphasizes respect, patience, and practical tools so people leave sessions with clear next steps.

Using CBT, ACT, and Attachment Work Online

Christine commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT is often useful for anxiety, panic, social fears, and stress-related problems because it focuses on practical exercises and clear steps.

She also applies Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps clients notice difficult feelings while committing to actions that align with personal values. ACT can be especially helpful for people dealing with chronic pain, persistent worry, or life transitions where avoidance has become a pattern.

Attachment-based work looks at how early relationship patterns shape current connection and communication. This approach is useful for relationship strain, fatherhood issues, forgiveness work, and rebuilding trust after separation or conflict.

Finding the right combination of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk through goals and preferences, try strategies, and adjust the plan based on what helps most. Clients are encouraged to give feedback so sessions match their needs.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is good for in-depth sessions and skills practice, phone can fit into a work break or be easier when bandwidth is low, and chat or messaging work well for brief check-ins or ongoing coaching. These formats aim to make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into daily life.