Exploring Life & Business with Christine Adams of Christine Adams Therapy, PLLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Adams

Hi Christine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I think I realized I was an empathetic person at a young age, I remember watching movies and reading books when I was a young girl and being deeply moved by people’s resiliency and their stories. I think this translated into an interest working in environments where I could help people and provide care. I’ve worked in a range of care-settings in my career that included roles as a preschool teacher, nanny, elder care, AmeriCorps service and in non-profits focused on addressing intimate partner violence and sexual assault in the community. When I decided on the UNC School of Social Work for graduate school, it was a natural extension of the work I was already doing. My step into a psychotherapy focus while in school was prompted by a significant family rupture that had me asking “Why do people do what they do? Do other people feel the way I feel in my family?” I dove into psychology, the nature of the human mind, and brain science, and it continues to influence my work. I’ve been able to bring all my learnings into the therapeutic space with clients and it frames the philosophical baseline of my work.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I got hired right out of graduate school at a psychotherapy group practice, and let’s just say I had a surprising experience there which prompted me to launch earlier than expected into my own private practice. Fortunately, I am already a very self-directed and organized person, but there is some added labor in running your own business! I always feel lucky when I consider how I can set my own hours, policy, and pay.

In looking closer at the work I do, the biggest struggle has been the balance of well-being while exerting the most attuned focus and attention for 5-6 hours a day (depending on how many folks I see). Psychotherapy isn’t a job where you can even zone out for 1-2 minutes. I have learned (and am still learning) how to best maximize my own well-being while delivering the best hour of service for each client.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business serves adults 18+ who are seeking individual outpatient psychotherapy services. I see clients both in-person at my Durham office and virtually (telehealth) across North Carolina. My clinical focus is on supporting and helping clients heal from attachment and relational trauma (I am also EMDR trained), people struggling with family of origin issues and family estrangement, or who are in the process of exploring sexuality, identity, and queerness. I also focus on issues that arise in ethical non-monogamy (I have 7 years of personal experience with ENM), boundary and communication work, and affect phobia (fear of feeling your emotions and you need help feeling them).

Any big plans?
My field requires that we stay up to date on trainings and learnings, which is easy for me to do! I finished getting trained in an evidence-based modality called EMDR and am building on those skills. I’ve seen some pretty incredible things happen in session while using EMDR.

My psychotherapy business feels secure and established now, so I can really settle in a bit more. What I am always refining and calibrating are ways to reach the communities I want to serve. Lots of folks get overwhelmed searching for a therapist online and so I have to keep my marketing and outreach top notch. Most of my clients are from the LGBTQIA+ community or navigating estrangement from their families, seeking support about how to navigate ethical non-monogamy, or working on improving relationships to themselves and their emotions.

Pricing:

• $150-$165/53 minute

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christineadamstherapy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christineadamstherapy/