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Vetted

Kathy Christie

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC
Rhode IslandMassachusetts
Anxiety-Depression-College mental health-Trauma-Perfectionism-Wellness & Optimal Lifestyle Consulting-

See Kathy's Details for:

AboutSpecialtiesLocationsInsurance & FeesTestimonials

Professional statement

Kathy Christie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Personal Trainer. She is dually licensed in RI and MA and specializes in working with anxiety, depression, and trauma recovery. Kathy also supports folks navigating general life transitions that can lead to relational, physical, and emotional challenges.

With the therapeutic relationship central to therapy, you find her approach is integrative and rooted in Brain Based, Trauma Informed methods. Kathy employs methods that address chronic stress and the negative effects trauma and adversity have on our nervous system, impairing how we see ourselves and the environments we live in. Together, you will tap into the connection between body and mind, build a more regulated nervous system, and re-establish a sense of safety and agency in how you live, play, and interact with the world. This will include varying methods from more traditional therapies, such as Humanistic and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and more creative approaches like engagement in exercise programs.

As an LMHC and CPT, Kathy uniquely integrates exercise and physical activity into treatment. Specific to trauma and chronic stress, the nervous system becomes dysregulated one’s sense of agency and safety compromised. The process of becoming physically active and building physical strength can heal these physiological and psychological impacts, nurturing regulation and resilience. This approach is best for folks who have tried other therapies and still struggle with symptoms.

Prior to her current position, Kathy has experience working in schools, agencies, residential programs, and wilderness programs. She has an MS in Community Mental Health Counseling and a BS in Business Administration and Accounting. When not working, you will find her enjoying outdoor activities, weight lifting, reading, gardening or hanging out with family.


Message to clients

You are not broken. You are trying to live your life as best you can in a world that presents new challenges every day. I believe this to be part of the human experience--on an individual and collective level. While I feel great sadness for this, I remain hopeful about the resilience of the human spirit. People are not broken. People survive. People want change. We want to learn how to live differently. More peacefully. More effectively. More sustainably. We cannot live in a world without stress or discomfort, but we can develop a more resilient way to live within it.

Regardless of how your health and well being has been impacted by the past few years, or over your lifespan, dealing with demands of everyday life is just plain hard. But you can heal. You can learn to show up to this life in alignment with your values and your dreams. I will meet you in your healing process with compassion, love, and some humor (Yes! That is important!), to help you reclaim what you need to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. I believe that everyone should be able to live a life full of health, play, hard work, connection, and adventure and to do so in a safe, nurturing, appropriately challenging environment. You can live life differently. Isn't it time to show up for yourself?


Work and Education

Years of Experience: 17 years

Vitality Counseling & Wellness, Inc, Owner, Clinical Therapist, 2011 - Present
RI Student Assistance Services, Student Assistance Counselor, 2017 - 2019
Fonthill Behavioral Health, Clinical Therapist, Case Manager, 2012 - 2017
Certified Personal Trainer, North Carolina, Certified Personal Trainer, 2011 - 2015
Universal Mental Health Services, North Carolina, School Based & Community Therapist, 2010 - 2014

National Council on Strength & Fitness, CPT, Certified Personal Trainer, 2025
Western Carolina University, MS in Community Counseling, 2008
University of Maine, BS in Business Administration and Accounting, 2002

Licensure

Rhode Island: MHC00744 - Massachusetts: LMHC13083

Languages

English

Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; Intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); Restlessness; Sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Depression - Sleep and energy disruption; low motivation; loss of interest; inability to enjoy yourself; general feelings of dissatisfaction

College mental health - Navigating the transition into college and stressors of academics, personal relationships, and self-development

Trauma - Healing from overwhelming life events or chronic and cumulative life stress; Regulating nervous system response after experiencing overwhelming or fearful events; Repairing developmental trauma

Perfectionism - Learning to drop self-criticism, judgment and procrastination related to 'not getting it right'; Embracing mistakes and the learning process; Addressing unrealistic expectations of one’s self and negatively comparing self to others

Wellness & Optimal Lifestyle Consulting - Attending to/Improving quality of life in ALL life dimensions (physical, mental, emotional, occupational/academic, spiritual, and leisure); Building resilience; Optimizing physical fitness and sense of well-being




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Parents
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Locations & Hours

I am only offering Trauma Informed Exercise and Exercise for Anxiety and Depression at this time.


Insurance

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Brown University Student Health Insurance (United Healthcare)
  • Harvard Pilgrim
  • Johnson and Wales University Student Health Insurance (United Healthcare)
  • RISD Student Health Insurance (United Healthcare)
  • Tufts Health Plan
  • United Healthcare
  • United Healthcare Student Health Plan
  • University of Rhode Island (URI) Student Insurance (United Healthcare)

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions:$129 (50min)
  • Initial session:$129 (50min)

Additional session information

Payment options
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Every other week

Client testimonials

"Kathy was very caring. She listened and answered all of my questions."
- Zencare client September 2020