Christina Steele-Lietz , LMSW, LCSW

Christina Steele-Lietz is a Licensed Master Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of experience. She brings a calm, down-to-earth presence and aims to be a confidante, teacher, and steady listener as people work through hard moments. Christina is based in Illinois and focuses on women's issues among a broader range of concerns. She values straightforward conversations and practical steps over jargon.

Her approach centers on helping people respond to what they cannot control and decide what matters most to them. Sessions focus on clear problem solving, naming facts, and exploring options that fit each person's life. Christina helps people learn ways to comfort themselves during pain and to reconnect with who they want to be.

She routinely helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, and relationship or intimacy concerns. Other areas she addresses include parenting strain, sleep and eating issues, career stresses, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Christina also supports people navigating adoption and foster care matters, aging and caregiver strains, chronic illness, and end-of-life issues.

In the therapy room she uses approaches that include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, emotionally-focused work, client-centered listening, and EMDR for trauma processing. The pace and tools are tailored to each person’s goals. Christina aims to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where feelings can be named and practical steps can follow.

People who choose her often want clear guidance, steady support, and methods they can use between sessions. She encourages small, doable changes and celebrates progress along the way.

Therapeutic approaches that translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It emphasizes small, practical steps to live a more meaningful life despite painful feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. It often uses short exercises between sessions to build new habits. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused method that can process distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity when appropriate.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Christina works together with each person to identify goals, try different methods, and adjust the plan based on what feels most helpful. The therapist aims to match tools to a client's needs, preferences, and pace so work feels manageable.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls provide face-to-face connection when deeper conversation is needed. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier on busy days. Live chat and text-based messaging support shorter check-ins, ongoing coaching, or quick questions between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other commitments while keeping momentum between appointments.