Christy Pagels

My main focus in therapy is on forming a supportive therapeutic relationship that creates a safe space to explore difficult issues. While I draw from different theories of therapy, I focus on a combination of building coping or calming skills while also seeking to aid clients in gaining understanding of underlying patterns that can keep us stuck in ways of being that are no longer helpful to us. Many of our early relational experience and traumas (anything that overwhelms our ability to cope) can lead us to develop ways of coping or relating in order to aid us with these experiences. It is helpful to understand how these ways of coping and relating are affecting our current situations and relationships. I use IFS (Internal Family Systems), also known as parts work, and ITR Method trauma processing (visual art based method) as part of this approach. As a trained Art Therapist, I use art therapy with interested clients as a way to explore both current situations and personal history. I also have additional training to aid me in provide affirming care to support trans & nonbinary clients in their lives.