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Christina Steele-Lietz

Therapist profile

Christina Steele-Lietz, LMSW, LCSW

Illinois

LCSW - Stress and relationship concerns

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About

  • ACT and CBT
  • EMDR for trauma
  • Parenting support

About Christina

Christina Steele-Lietz is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience. She is licensed in Illinois and brings long experience helping people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and LGBT concerns.

Christina describes therapy as a collaborative effort. She aims to be a confidante, teacher, and equal during sessions. She helps people identify facts, talk through solutions, and decide how they want to respond to situations they cannot control.

In practice she focuses on practical skills for coping. That can include learning ways to soothe yourself during distress, building clearer boundaries, and naming values that guide daily choices. She uses straightforward talk and exercises rather than jargon or long lectures.

Christina draws on several approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered work, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and EMDR. She tailors each session by choosing tools that fit a person’s goals and life context rather than sticking to a single method.

Many people come with relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, grief, or life changes. Christina also works with issues such as sleep and eating problems, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and end-of-life concerns. She asks questions, listens, and helps people make practical decisions that match their values and priorities.

How sessions work

How Christina’s approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people clarify their values and take small actions that align with those values. It is useful for stress, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks down unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and gives concrete tools to change them, which can help anxiety, sleep problems, and low mood. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused method that uses structured processing to reduce the intensity of painful memories and reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Christina will collaborate with the client to choose which methods to try first, based on the person’s goals, comfort, and day-to-day context. Sessions often combine techniques so they match what a person needs that week.

The therapist’s biography does not specify which online session formats are used, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find remote sessions easier to fit into busy days, allow shorter check-ins during work breaks, and reduce travel time. Online work still uses the same therapeutic tools - values-based exercises, thought records, EMDR processing - adapted so they can be done across distance with a licensed professional.

Areas of focus

Areas of expertise

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityDissociationDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesFirst responder issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

20+ years

Listed in

Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan

Languages

English

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, LGBT concerns, relationship and family issues, parenting strain, grief, and related challenges.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She describes herself as a confidante, teacher, and equal who identifies facts and helps clients explore solutions in straightforward language.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 20 years of professional experience working in clinical settings and direct client care.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds LMSW and LCSW credentials and is licensed in Illinois.

Does she work in other languages or with international clients?

Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.

Which session formats does she offer?

The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies by location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.

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Christina Steele-Lietz

Continue with Christina