Christina Whittemore

Depression is something I have had experience with my entire life. It is something that everyone struggles with at one time or another and is often hidden behind other emotions. Depression is difficult to treat because of the stigma surrounding mental illness. It is very treatable and learning how to cope is the most important aspect of treatment. Helping individuals come out from behind the mask that they hide behind is very rewarding to me. I look forward to helping those in need!

Being a full-time caregiver has been the one thing in my life that has shaped me the most. Military caregivers are often the forgotten population, and we struggle to find comfort and support due to the military community being so small. There are so few therapists that understand this population and, this is why I became a therapist. Caregiving is exhausting, stressful, and often times overwhelming. Self-care is the key to overcoming the stress and secondary trauma that is often experienced.

As a daughter of a Vietnam Veteran with combat PTSD and a wife to a Marine Wounded Warrior, PTSD has impacted my life in several ways. PTSD can have a lasting effect on you or your loved ones if it is not treated. Although it can be a chronic condition, it is treatable. You never know what mood you will be in or what will trigger you with PTSD. Being able to recognize those triggers and working to overcome them will allow you to be successful in your life!

Couples often have a lot of issues, but what they do not realize is that communication is the key to being successful. Think of a situation that occurred between the two of you and think about how you perceived the situation. Perception is reality and being able to understand one another will improve your relationships. Working on effective listening and assertive communication skills will help each of you because more powerful and independent in your relationship.

Solution-focused brief therapy is about focusing on the here and now and on the presenting issue. This is a structured type of therapy that builds on each other in every session and is short-term therapy. As a military spouse, my husband and I tried therapy three times before this therapy modality was used and it changed our marriage for the better. Military families move so much and change is inevitable. This modality allows you to focus on your immediate needs and overcome those obstacles.

Trauma therapy is accomplished in a variety of ways. CPT has been shown to be very successful with veterans dealing with combat trauma. Narrative Therapy is a great therapy modality for those that are creative in their processing as it helps them put pen to paper & write out their experiences in different ways. It depends on the client as to which modality is most beneficial and it is not a one size fits all approach. CPT is very structured & focuses on changing thoughts & beliefs.

Anxiety is something that can be debilitating if you don't know how to manage it. Using mindfulness to help cope with it and learning to effectively communicate your feelings is paramount. Anxiety affects your daily routine including sleep and managing your moods.

Are you struggling with your marriage, relationship with children, or relationships in general? Communication is the key to being successful in any relationship. Each relationship is different and learning how to communicate to different types of people will improve your ability to be happy. I love working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships.

I am the spouse and caregiver of a Wounded Warrior Marine and have extensive experience with the military population including spouses learning to cope with combat PTSD in their loved ones. I've seen what combat PTSD can do to an individual and a marriage, including when suicide is possible. Helping spouses to understand the dynamics of combat PTSD and providing a safe place for the veterans means they are able to deal with their traumas and everlasting changes in their relationships.