Christie Howley LCSW

I specialize in the area of trauma work, and with this comes many other areas of focus including anxiety, depression and body image issues. I take a trauma-informed approach, meaning that I look at each individual from a perspective of, "what has this person been through and experienced that has affected them?" That approach helps with individuals who struggle with significant trauma and have PTSD, whether it be a singular incident or a series of experiences that has shaped them.

I have over 14 years of experience working with individuals of sexual violence in many forms; advocating for survivors, serving on response teams, court advocacy, college advocacy, community health and clinical services. Sexual violence is difficult for survivors to speak about, but can be so healing to begin working through and processing the trauma. I work to help minimize the blame & shame many survivors carry, process feelings and help move from victim to survivor.

I have been in the field of domestic violence advocacy for 17 years. I have served in many different roles, but working to support survivors, providing a safe, empathetic and judgement free space and being able to listen is incredibly important. I understand the barriers individuals have to leaving and reporting, and the challenges those who have grown up in abusive situations face. I work to help rebuild self-esteem, navigate emotions, and provide resources and support for those in crisis.

An approach rooted in changing negative thinking patterns. Helpful for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship issues and other mental health disorders.

Working to heighten self-awareness and empowerment. Focuses on relationships with self and others, personality and stages of development. Helpful in shifting unhealthy patterns and behaviors, anxiety, relationships/family and other stressors.

Trauma therapy focuses on working to identify and reduce environmental triggers, working through processing trauma, integrating grounding techniques and tools to aid in reducing the effect the trauma has in the present. By recognizing the ways in which the trauma has affected the individual, we can work together to rebuild self-worth and empower the survivor to become stronger.