Christin Dougherty, LCSW
Gender: Female | Office Location: Reston, Vienna, Telehealth | States Licensed In: Virginia |
Languages: English
Services Offered: Therapy | Credentials: LCSW | Age Group: 18 and Over
About Me
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 22 years of experience helping people navigate emotional and life challenges. I spent part of my career working in child protection and have spent the past seven years providing individual therapy in private practice. I’m also a parent of three teenagers and a runner, and I’m a strong believer in the physical and mental health benefits of movement.
I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family concerns, life transitions, stress, school concerns, parenting challenges, substance use, and bipolar disorder. My goal is to help you better understand what you’re experiencing, recognize patterns that may be making life more difficult, and develop practical ways to improve your overall quality of life.
My Approach to Therapy
My primary approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), based on the idea that our thoughts influence how we feel and ultimately how we respond. I often help clients recognize negative self-talk, understand how it affects their emotions and behaviors, and begin developing healthier ways of responding to themselves and difficult situations.
I’m also trauma-informed and recognize that difficult or adverse experiences from the past can continue to influence how we function in the present. When appropriate, we can explore those experiences together and better understand how they may be connected to what you’re experiencing today. Ultimately, I see therapy as a partnership: we’ll work together to identify what needs to change and help make life feel more manageable.
What to Expect When Working With Me
Many of my clients reach out because they’re constantly worrying, replaying conversations, feeling emotionally overwhelmed, or exhausted from trying to keep everything together. You may notice that your reactions sometimes feel bigger than the situation in front of you, or you may simply feel like you aren’t handling life’s challenges the way you would like. Often, clients come to me because they want to feel more emotionally regulated and more confident that they can handle hard things.
I’m gentle, friendly, and collaborative in my approach. I will never force you to talk about something you’re not ready to discuss. As we work together, we’ll talk about what’s been happening in your life, identify recurring themes or patterns, and use practical, evidence-based strategies to help you move toward your goals.
If you’re ready to partner with me to figure out what changes may help you feel and function better, I’m here for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What concerns do you help clients with?
I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, relationship concerns, family conflict, stress, life transitions, school and parenting concerns, substance use, and bipolar disorder.
What is your approach to therapy?
I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helping clients understand how thoughts can influence emotions and behaviors. I’m also trauma-informed, so we may explore how previous experiences continue to affect the way you think, feel, or respond today.
What should I expect at my first therapy appointment?
Our first appointment is an intake, so I’ll ask questions to better understand you and what has been causing the most distress in your life. We’ll talk about the symptoms you’re experiencing and some of your personal and family history so I have the context needed to understand how I can best support you.
What if I’m nervous about starting therapy?
That’s completely understandable. I’m gentle in my approach, and I won’t force you to discuss something before you’re ready. We can move at a pace that allows you to become more comfortable with both me and the therapy process.
What are therapy sessions with you like?
We’ll usually begin by talking about what’s happened in your life since our last appointment. From there, we’ll work together to identify themes and patterns that may be contributing to the difficulties you’re experiencing and explore practical ways to make changes.
Christin provides in-person appointments at our Reston and Vienna offices, as well as telehealth services for clients who prefer to meet virtually.