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CS Portrait of Crista Shaw

Crista Shaw

Compassionate, skills-based counseling for life transitions

LCPC Maine

Experience
15 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Crista

About Crista

Crista Shaw is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) practicing in Maine who blends practical strategies with empathetic support.

Background and approach

She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered techniques to help people understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and to develop skills for managing stress, anxiety, mood concerns, and anger. With 15 years of experience, Crista incorporates trauma-focused and dialectical behavior therapy tools when addressing trauma, family conflict, and complex emotional reactions.

Her approach emphasizes a collaborative, nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients can explore grief, relationship struggles, parenting challenges, issues related to sexuality and LGBT concerns, and transitions such as postpartum adjustment or life-purpose questions. Additional focus areas include adoption and foster care dynamics, blended family issues, co-morbidity, and symptoms like impulsivity or isolation.

Crista supports people working through eating concerns, seasonal mood shifts, and ADHD-related challenges while helping clients identify practical coping skills and clearer pathways forward.

Practical therapeutic approaches for online care

Many clients benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy because it focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and building concrete coping strategies for anxiety, mood concerns, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy complements this work by creating space for a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship in which the client’s perspective shapes goals and the pace of change. When trauma or intense emotional dysregulation is present, Crista may draw on Trauma-Focused techniques and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to address painful memories and teach emotion regulation tools.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative; the therapist and client discuss symptoms, goals, and preferences to shape a plan that feels useful and realistic. Crista uses her clinical experience to recommend strategies while inviting feedback so interventions can be adjusted as needs evolve.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local options. These formats make it possible to work on practical skills, process emotional material, and maintain continuity of care while fitting therapy into daily life.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Crista commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, grief, eating concerns, parenting challenges, coping with life changes, and ADHD among other related issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style combines client-centered listening with practical, skills-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy to promote coping and emotional regulation.
How long has she been practicing clinically?
Crista brings 15 years of professional experience to her practice and uses that background to guide treatment choices and interventions.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is credentialed as an LCPC with license details listed as ME LCPC CC4311 and maintains her practice in Maine.
Does she provide services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available for appointments?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their preferences and scheduling needs.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementDepression

Also works with

LGBTGriefEating disordersParenting issuesCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careBlended family issuesCo-morbidityFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersPostpartum depressionSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)SexualityWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Trauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

Maine

Languages

English