Brenna Christensen, LMHCA (she/her)

I am thrilled to be joining the DBT Center of Tacoma as a Therapy Fellow, having just completed my Masters in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology at UW. Prior to this, I enjoyed 5+ years of working with teenagers in a variety of treatment settings and I particularly like working with teens who experience intense and, at times, overpowering emotions (having been one of those teens myself). I have experience working with clients with depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and phobias. I have additional training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Exposure Therapy, and Multisystemic Therapy in addition to my ongoing training in comprehensive DBT. My goal is to create a reflective and supportive environment while also offering concrete skills clients can use in their day-to-day lives. I aim to provide trauma-informed care which includes both an understanding of how trauma impacts the brain and body as well as the ongoing trauma of being in a marginalized community. I am committed to providing antiracist and anticolonial work, which in my therapeutic work includes acknowledging race-based traumatic stress, focusing on factors of resiliency, and decentering White-supremacist values. Identifying as Queer, it is important to me to provide therapy that is Queer and Trans-affirming, including support around gender identity exploration and transition work. Lastly, I attempt to challenge ableism throughout my work, and strive to provide neurodiverse affirming care. Beyond therapeutic work, I also enjoy surfing, swimming, and learning new things! My current goal is to learn how to stop on roller skates.

Professional Biography:

Brenna Christensen completed her undergraduate studies at Middlebury College and received her Masters of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Washington. Brenna completed her clinical internship in the Outpatient Program at Ryther. During her internship she led groups on anger, social connection, and impulse control in addition to working in the Transitional Youth Services division. Brenna has a background working with teens in a variety of treatment settings and facilitating care across different systems including hospital, juvenile justice, foster care, and school.