Christine Hicks

Chris, how long have you been doing what you do and why do you do it?

I received my Masters of Social Work degree in 1997. I worked in a variety of clinical settings with children, teens, adults, and in group therapy.

Advocating and helping people has always been a passion of mine. From a young age, I enjoyed seeing people come alive when given the chance to express their gifts. When able to help provide hope, direction, support, and education – whether I was a child playing “school” or a young adult social worker advocating for the helpless – those are the times I feel most fulfilled. My giftedness lies in discerning emotional as well as physical/circumstantial needs and providing counsel and resources to help heal and fill in gaps.

I am blessed with two children, a stepdaughter, son-in-law, and grandson. My husband, John, and I have been married over 22 years. My family journey has led me through joining and creating a blended family, homeschooling, and navigating the ever-changing roles and needs I fulfill as a mother, wife, stepmom, grandmother… etc. Professional life has evolved and changed as my family has grown and changed. This personal growth has blessed me with a wide variety of experience AND a compassion for helping women and children through transitions.

Who are your clients exactly?

I am dedicated to helping women who are tired of living their lives on autopilot. The women I see recognize the value of investing in themselves with their time, energy and resources. They also recognize that prioritizing care for themselves is necessary for spiritual, personal, and relational health.

Many of the women I counsel:

• feel isolated and perhaps lack a good support system (or aren’t aware of how to utilize the support system they have)
• struggle to maintain and nurture friendships due to busyness or weariness from pouring out so much of themselves 
• feel hopeless in their marriage
• have parenting challenges
• struggle with the transition to an empty nest

In addition to seeing women in Christian Counseling, I also provide services to children and teens through Family Counseling.

How kids experience stress, trauma, and emotional issues is unique to their developmental stage. Some of the symptoms of stress experienced by kids includes some of the following:

• Worries or fears related to school performance or social situations
• Changes in the family due to loss, divorce, or moves
• Noticeable sadness, withdrawal, fear, tearfulness

An important part of seeing kids is counseling parents and creating a supportive team to best help their child. Sometimes this includes looking at parenting techniques that aren’t working or exploring ways to restore loving communication and supportive behavior patterns. Just as teens that come to counseling must be willing to do some work… so should the parents be prepared to work as well.

What if I don’t fall into that category of client?

It’s difficult to create categories for the clients I work with. Every situation is unique! My counseling services are individualized for each woman and each child. This is why I offer a complimentary phone consultation so that we can explore options of services together. If I am not the best fit for you, I will recommend a colleague that may be.

What type of personality do you work best with and what can clients expect?

As with all counseling services, the more work you put into healing, the better the outcome. I work best with women, parents, and kids who are ready to do the work necessary for their best emotional health.

Part of that necessary work requires a commitment to doing the work in sessions and implementing goals and tasks on your own. You must also take personal responsibility for making the changes in your life.

My counseling style is goal-directed. I will be your coach, cheerleader, and accountability partner, but will expect you to make the changes necessary to heal. We will explore barriers to change and begin chiseling away at those walls. Our work together is designed to help you have a definitive path to get you where you want to go.

What type of person will NOT be a good fit for you and your services?

Success is dependent on us working together to achieve the best outcome. It’s important to me that we work well together. Taking responsibility for your own actions and feelings is crucial in moving forward. Being willing to be vulnerable and forthcoming in sessions, being open to reframing or redirecting when I see you are on the wrong path, and completing the work or assignments given are all very important to success. If you aren’t willing to engage in this relational work, we will not work successfully together.

Does this really work?

The clients I work with are stuck and need the nudge, support, and expert guidance through counseling to get “unstuck”. Below are some results you may expect and success past clients have experienced:

• Experience freedom from negative thoughts
• Understand and recognize emotional triggers
• Learn calming techniques when you recognize your anxiety is climbing
• Recognize the supports in your life and utilize them
• Let go of worries about what others may think
• Learn how to focus on your personal goals
• Learn how to set boundaries in your schedule
• Have meaningful and fulfilling relationships
• Learn appropriate ways to manage everyday stress
• Have a sense of calm in your life
• Learn how to make caring for yourself a priority without guilt
• Create stronger, healthier relationships with others – Setting boundaries and understanding which relationships are healthy and which aren’t.
• CONFIDENCE – make decisions more easily without second-guessing yourself
• Learn skills to problem-solve issues rather than react and get upset
• Make your spiritual growth a priority

OK, I’m interested in learning more. What are next steps?

Contact me by filling out the form below. My assistant will schedule a complimentary phone consultation with me to assess your needs and to see if working together will be a good fit. I look forward to talking with you!