Christina Van Patter
Psychotherapist
Christina Van Patter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her Master’s Degree of Social Work from The University of Pittsburgh and holds a bachelor’s degree from Messiah University. Throughout her professional journey, Christina has offered a range of services in both clinical and social service settings and much of her experience has been working with parents of young children.
By fostering a therapeutic relationship, Christina works to empower patients to build resilience and grow in self-compassion. She prioritizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy with new patients to help them build skills that can be implemented immediately to alleviate suffering. Beyond CBT, she employs a Narrative approach to help patients find themselves in their own experience. In order to meet the unique needs of each patient, Christina continues to build her expertise in other modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy.
“I am from Pittsburgh, so, I’ll start by quoting Mr. Rogers: “Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” When we mention the darkness of PPD or identify our conflicting emotions about parenthood or name the grief of loss--we can find the freedom that comes with speaking it out loud.
As a mother, I understand that the journey of parenthood is filled with unique challenges and great joys. As a clinician, my goal is to provide a compassionate space for all mothers (and their partners) to share their experiences, emotions, victories, and sorrows. Whether its celebrating your first outing post-baby or facing fertility challenges, I offer a warm and supportive virtual environment where patients can feel truly heard and validated. Together, we can explore the myriad of emotions of motherhood, delve into its complexities, and develop strategies to support your emotional and mental well-being. My hope is to empower you to feel more confident, connected, and at peace as you navigate the journey of motherhood.”