- Faith-informed approach
- Skills-focused sessions
- Support for codependency
About Christy
Christy Alten brings more than three decades of counseling experience to her work. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Iowa. Christy talks plainly with people who are worn out by stress, addiction, depression, grief, and the everyday struggles that take energy and hope away.
She uses a blend of approaches that match each person's needs. That can mean practical skills from cognitive behavioral therapy, emotion regulation tools from dialectical behavior therapy, or a client-centered, faith-informed conversation about meaning and purpose. The Gottman Method is part of her repertoire when relationship patterns are involved.
Christy also draws on years of work with clinicians, offering supervision and professional development to helpers in the field. She describes her style as nonjudgmental and direct, and she aims to walk alongside people rather than lecture them. Sessions focus on clear goals, useful skills, and steps that can be taken between meetings.
She often supports people facing codependency, abandonment wounds, family of origin issues, and control or communication problems. Christy also helps with parenting strains, career stress, sleep problems, and recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.
To begin, she asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedules a time to talk. The plan is developed together, with attention to what feels doable and meaningful for each person.
Therapy approaches and how they translate online
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting conversation. It helps people feel heard, identify what matters, and set goals rooted in their values. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to notice unhelpful thought patterns and try different behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) includes emotion regulation and distress tolerance techniques that help when intense feelings get in the way of daily life.Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to decide which methods match their goals and preferences. That choice can change over time as needs shift and progress is made.
The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. In general, many people find online work helps fit therapy into busy schedules, makes it easier to keep regular sessions, and lets them practice skills between meetings. Online sessions can also allow shorter check-ins or visits outside typical work hours, making it simpler to maintain momentum while juggling family, job, or school responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
31+ years
Credentials
South Dakota, Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, parenting strain, career stress, sleeping problems, bipolar concerns, compassion fatigue, and related life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is direct and nonjudgmental with a focus on practical skills and shared planning. She blends faith-informed conversation with evidence-based tools.
What is her professional background?
She has 31 years of clinical experience and more than two decades providing clinical supervision and professional development to other clinicians.
Which credentials and location are listed?
She is listed as LPC-MH (Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health) and LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) and practices in Iowa.
What languages are supported and can international clients be seen?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.