- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
About Cristy
Cristy Bixler is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois with seven years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and family concerns, including family of origin issues and relationship or intimacy-related struggles. Cristy also supports those dealing with self-esteem challenges, grief, and motivation. Sessions are conducted in English and she accepts international clients.
Her approach is client-centered, which means conversations focus on what matters to the person in front of her. She uses Motivational Interviewing to help people move toward change and draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy tools to address thoughts, behaviors, and coping skills. Cristy talks through practical strategies and skills rather than relying on jargon.
She has experience supporting people who struggle with self-defeating behavior, self-harm, and substance use concerns. She also has worked with adults and children who have intellectual disabilities and with their family members. These experiences inform a straightforward style that emphasizes clear steps and achievable goals.
Sessions typically include goal-setting, skill practice, and check-ins about progress. Cristy pays attention to patterns that come from early family life when those patterns affect current relationships or behavior. She explains techniques, models skills in session, and suggests short exercises to practice between meetings.
People who want to start are asked to complete a brief matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session. Cristy notes that payment uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time and that fees vary by location.
Approaches used and how online sessions fit
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s concerns and preferences. It means conversations center on what the client wants to address and the therapist follows their lead while offering feedback and reflection.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact. It breaks problems into manageable steps, teaches practical skills, and helps people test out different ways of thinking and acting to reduce worry or unhelpful habits.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness. It is often used for strong mood swings, intense reactions, or patterns of conflict, and it teaches concrete coping tools.
Choosing an approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try approaches that match those goals, and adjust as progress is assessed. Clients help shape which techniques are used and how sessions proceed.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also make it simpler to continue work across locations when someone is traveling or living abroad.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, and family of origin concerns among other topics.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and strength-focused. She uses practical conversations and skill-building rather than heavy clinical language.
How much experience does she have?
She has seven years of professional experience as an LCSW working with a range of concerns including self-harm, substance use, and intellectual disabilities.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and practices with that credential.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she is able to work with international clients.
What session formats are available?
Session formats were not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.