About Me
CHRISTINE CUHACIYAN, MA, LMHC, MHP
Hello and welcome! I am Christine Cuhaciyan and I am a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Washington. I was born and raised in Seattle and lived in Arizona for five years during undergrad before retuning back home. I grew up in a family where anxiety and depression were very prevalent and as a result I knew I was interested in Psychology since the age of 16. At a young age I started reading books about Eastern Philosophy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I love learning and reading about human behavior and I am fascinated by how the brain works. I have a ten year old son and a tuxedo cat named Licorice. In my spare time I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, hiking in the Summer months, and spending time with family and friends.
Education & Experience
For undergrad I attended Arizona State University where I earned a Bachelor or Science in Psychology. I continued on at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA to obtain a Master's in Counseling Psychology. As a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) I have experience working with people from a diverse array of backgrounds and experiences. During my internship, I worked in community mental health with individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar, and schizoaffective disorder. Through my experiences working with this vulnerable population a pattern I saw emerge repeatedly was a history of trauma. Trauma is a catalyst for so many of the mental health issues that people seek counseling for.
In my private practice a major focus has been helping people recover from narcissistic abuse and codependency through psychoeducation, understanding relational trauma, family of origin issues, and learning to become empowered through assertive communication and healthy boundaries. While many of our wounds can be created because of damaging relationships, I firmly believe that this is also the place where healing can take place. This healing work must be done in the presence of a “safe” witness,” and that is where I come in. I can create a safe, welcoming, and compassionate space for you to be vulnerable and express what is troubling you.
Training
-DV101 Comprehensive Training, New Beginnings
-Illness Management & Recovery, Minnesota Center for Chemical & Mental Health
-Male Trauma 101: Engaging Males to Heal from Trauma, Healthy Minds Group: Training for the Mind
-Motivational Interviewing, North Sound Behavioral Health
-Family Law for the Mental Health Professional, Joseph Shaub, LMFT, JD,
-Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Eric Gentry, Ph.D., LMHC
-EMDR Training, Darlene Wade, MSW & Terence Wade, Ph.D., EMDR Consulting
-Narcissism & Addiction Workshop
-Cognitive Processing Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina
-4 Day Intensive Workshop: ERP for OCD, Cognitive Behavior Institute
-CBT for Anxiety & OCD, https://anxietytraining.thinkific.com/
-Inference Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, https://anxietytraining.thinkific.com/
-Health Anxiety Treatment, https://anxietytraining.thinkific.com/
Treatment Methods
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative patterns of thinking and behavior. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and can influence one another. In CBT, individuals work with a therapist to identify unhelpful thoughts and beliefs and learn new coping strategies to replace them with more positive and effective ones. The goal of CBT is to help individuals develop more adaptive ways of thinking and behaving, which can ultimately lead to improved emotional well-being and overall functioning. CBT is a widely used and evidence-based treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals develop psychological flexibility and live a more meaningful life. It is based on the idea that trying to avoid or control negative thoughts and emotions can be counterproductive and lead to further distress. In ACT, individuals learn to accept and embrace their thoughts and feelings while focusing on taking actions that are in line with their personal values. This involves developing mindfulness skills, such as being present in the moment and observing thoughts without judgment. ACT has been shown to be effective in treating a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. By learning to live in the present moment and take actions that align with their values, individuals can cultivate a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in their lives.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CPT focuses on helping individuals understand and change the negative thoughts and beliefs that develop after a traumatic event. It involves structured, focused sessions that encourage individuals to challenge and replace these unhelpful thoughts with more accurate and adaptive ones. CPT also includes a component of exposure therapy, where individuals gradually confront the memories and emotions associated with the traumatic event in a safe and supportive environment. By addressing negative beliefs and processing traumatic memories in a structured way, individuals can begin to reduce their symptoms of PTSD and improve their overall functioning. CPT is an evidence-based treatment that has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD and improving quality of life for those struggling with the disorder.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that was originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder. It has since been adapted to treat a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. DBT focuses on developing skills in four areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills help individuals learn to manage difficult emotions, communicate effectively with others, and cope with distress in healthy ways. DBT is a structured, skills-based therapy that combines individual therapy sessions with group skills training sessions. It is an evidence-based treatment that has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and improving functioning in individuals with a range of mental health conditions.
Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy commonly used to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). ERP works by gradually exposing individuals to feared objects or situations, and then preventing them from performing compulsive behaviors. This helps individuals learn to tolerate the anxiety and discomfort that arises from exposure to the feared stimuli, without relying on compulsive behaviors to reduce their distress. Through repeated exposure, individuals gradually become desensitized to the feared object or situation and learn to manage their anxiety in healthy ways. ERP is an evidence-based treatment that has been shown to be effective in reducing OCD symptoms and improving overall functioning in individuals with the disorder.
Inference Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT)
Inference-Based Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (iCBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that specifically treats Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The therapy's central idea is that obsessions are abnormal doubts or inferences about what "could be" or "might be". These obsessional doubts arise from a distorted narrative, characterized by an over-reliance on the imagination and a distrust of the senses. This confusion between reality and imagination leads to persistent obsessions that cannot be resolved with compulsions. The goal of iCBT is to bring resolution to obsessional doubts by educating the client that obsessional doubts do not arise in the same way as normal doubts or real uncertainty. iCBT is an evidence-based treatment using cognitive restructuring and mindfulness-based techniques. It has been shown to be effective in reducing OCD symptoms and improving overall functioning, making it a promising alternative treatment option for those who have been unable to benefit from other treatments.