Christine Laster
Hi, I’m Christine, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate life’s challenges. I believe therapy should be a space where you can show up as yourself, feel heard and supported, and also be challenged when needed. My style is laid-back, warm, and collaborative—I’ll ask thoughtful questions, help you explore patterns in your thoughts and relationships, and support you in making changes that feel meaningful to you. At The Mental Wellness Studio, my goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable doing the work while knowing you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin creating a space where you feel comfortable being yourself. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what’s currently happening in your life, and what you hope to gain from our work together. There’s no pressure to share everything at once or have all the answers. We’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable while beginning to identify the areas you’d like to work on. My goal is for you to leave your first session feeling heard, understood, and clear about what our work together can look like.
Strengths
My approach is grounded in truly listening and taking the time to understand your experiences, thoughts, and feelings. I want you to feel heard and supported, but I also believe meaningful growth sometimes requires being challenged. I offer direct, honest feedback in a way that is thoughtful, kind, and respectful. Together, we’ll explore patterns, ask deeper questions, and look at situations from different perspectives. My goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself while also feeling supported and encouraged to make meaningful changes in your life.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who is ready—or beginning to feel ready—to do the work of understanding themselves and challenging patterns of thinking that may no longer serve them. You may be navigating a difficult season, a major life transition, relationship challenges, stress, or simply feeling stuck and unsure of what comes next. You don’t have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. I welcome clients who are willing to show up, be curious about themselves, and begin the process of creating meaningful change in their lives.
Origin story
My own experiences in therapy have helped me understand how meaningful it can be to have a safe space where you can be open, process life’s challenges, and feel truly supported. Those experiences strengthened my desire to provide that same kind of space for others. I’m passionate about helping people feel heard, understood, and valued, especially during times when life feels overwhelming or uncertain. I believe there is power in having someone who will listen without judgment, ask thoughtful questions, and walk alongside you as you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and what you need to move forward.
Ongoing work together
Our ongoing work will be collaborative and guided by what feels most important to you. Sessions will give you space to process what’s happening in your life while also exploring the thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be influencing how you respond to challenges. I’ll listen, ask thoughtful and sometimes challenging questions, and offer direct but compassionate feedback to help you look at things from different perspectives. Together, we’ll build on your strengths, develop new ways of thinking and coping, and work toward the goals that matter most to you.
Treatment methods
Strength-Based
I take a strengths-based approach to therapy, which means that while we’ll talk openly about the challenges you’re facing, we’ll also recognize the strengths, resilience, and skills you already bring with you. I’ll help you identify what has worked for you in the past, recognize progress that may be easy to overlook, and build on those strengths as you work toward change. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to listen, offer support and honest feedback, ask thoughtful questions, and help you recognize your ability to navigate life’s challenges.
Solution-Focused Brief Treatment
I believe therapy should not only help you understand what you’re going through, but also help you figure out what you can do next. Together, we’ll talk about what you would like to be different, identify small and realistic steps toward those changes, and pay attention to what is already working in your life. We’ll build on past successes and recognize progress along the way, even when that progress feels small. My goal is to help you leave sessions with greater clarity, practical ways to move forward, and confidence in your ability to create change.
Location
Virtual sessions