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CA Portrait of Christy Alten

Christy Alten

Compassionate clinician with extensive addictions expertise

LPC-MH, LMHC Iowa

Experience
31 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Christy

About Christy

Christy Alten brings more than three decades of clinical experience to her counseling practice, combining formal licensure with a long record of work in addictions and mental health.

Background and approach

She holds LPC-MH and LMHC credentials and has supported adults and adolescents through issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance use concerns, bipolar disorder, grief, parenting challenges, and career-related struggles. Her background includes substantial experience with clinical supervision and professional development for other clinicians.

Her approach blends evidence-based techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with client-centered and existential perspectives. Christy also integrates relational methods such as the Gottman Method when appropriate and draws on spiritual values as part of a hopeful, strengths-oriented stance.

She aims to partner with each person to create a practical plan for change, emphasizing compassion, engagement, and developing skills to manage emotions, relationships, and life transitions.

Therapeutic approaches and online options



Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies to change behaviors and emotions; it can be useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and many day-to-day stressors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes building skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, which can be helpful for intense emotions and relationship difficulties. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, empathic space where the client’s goals guide the pace and content of work and fosters self-directed growth.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist collaborates with each person to clarify goals, test different techniques, and adjust methods based on what is most helpful, making decisions together about which tools to use and when to introduce them.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to engage through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy life and to maintain continuity when schedules change. These formats allow licensed professionals to provide consistent care and skills practice while accommodating different communication preferences and access needs.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist often address?
Christy works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, sleep problems, parenting and career issues as well as relational and family challenges.
What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?
The style is collaborative and strengths-focused, drawing on client-centered, existential, and evidence-informed techniques like CBT and DBT to build coping skills and explore meaning.
How much clinical experience does this therapist have?
She has 31 years of clinical experience, including extensive work with adults and adolescents and more than two decades providing clinical supervision and professional development.
Which credentials and location are listed for this clinician?
Credentials include LPC-MH and LMHC with licensure references SD LPC-MH LPC-MH2270 and IA LMHC 111880, and practice location in Iowa.
Is therapy available in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English only and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered for online work?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions with this therapist?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are required to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

Family conflictsGriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacksPregnancy and childbirthSelf-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic Therapy

Experience

31+ years

Licensed

South Dakota, Iowa

Languages

English