Sarai "Christi" Webb-Vanderpoorten

Thirty years guiding whole-person change

LMFT Alabama

Experience: 30 years in practice
Focus areas: Addictions, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Sarai

Sarai "Christi" Webb-Vanderpoorten is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with three decades of clinical experience. She holds an MS and began practicing in 1993, bringing long-term work with individuals and families who face depression, anxiety, trauma, and addictions.

Background and approach

Her training includes a focus on multiple therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based methods, alongside client-centered, dialectical behavior, and emotionally-focused strategies. Christi frames care through a whole-person perspective that considers physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions.

She combines a compassionate, direct style to help clients clarify what they want and to develop practical change strategies that support wellbeing. Her practice addresses a broad range of concerns including relationship and family problems, grief, stress, eating and body-image issues, intimacy-related concerns, codependency, and substance-related difficulties.

Based in Alabama and licensed as an LMFT with credentials listed as MS LMFT T0027 and AL LMFT 428, she works with people seeking to improve coping, rebuild relationships, and find greater purpose. Christi integrates life experience with clinical training to guide clients toward sustainable change and increased confidence.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

Christi frequently integrates cognitive behavioral techniques and client-centered principles in remote sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and maladaptive coping. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathetic listening and collaboration so clients feel heard while exploring personal goals and values.

She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy when emotional regulation and distress tolerance are central concerns; DBT skills can help with impulsivity, intense emotions, and relationship strain. Determining which approach or combination is best happens together - the therapist works collaboratively with each person to match methods to their goals, preferences, and life situation rather than imposing a single model.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care around work, family, or mobility constraints and allow clients to engage in therapy in the format that fits them best while continuing to work toward meaningful change.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist often address?

She works with a wide range of issues including addictions, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related concerns, stress, anxiety, grief, eating and body image issues, parenting challenges, self-esteem and depression, as well as coping with life changes.

What therapeutic style does she use in sessions?

Her clinical approach blends client-centered care with cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-informed techniques, and she also draws on DBT and emotionally-focused methods to tailor treatment to each person's needs.

How long has she been practicing?

She has been a practicing therapist since 1993, bringing about 30 years of experience in inpatient settings, treatment centers, and outpatient independent practice.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with credentials listed as MS LMFT T0027 and AL LMFT 428, and she practices in Alabama.

Does she offer services in languages other than English?

Sessions are provided in English only, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

Which session formats are available for online work?

She offers multiple formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How is cost handled for therapy with this clinician?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issues

Also works with

Stress, Anxiety GriefEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityInfidelityLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

Mississippi, Alabama

Languages

English