My People

In my work with clients, I frequently encounter a version of “I thought I was doing ALL THE THINGS to be happy and yet, something still feels off.” That something can manifest as anxiety, stress, depression, your relationship, or questioning EVERYTHING.  

Many of my clients fall under the category of “high-functioning professionals.” Physicians, attorneys, scientists, bankers, creatives, business owners, and people-leaders are just a snapshot of the type of people I see. My clients are THE BEST PEOPLE, and I get excited knowing I get to spend my time helping people go after their best version of themselves, their jobs, relationships, and life. If you are thinking about getting therapy for your relationship, I’d invite you to think about bringing your significant other and engage in couples therapy with me.

Christian is one of the most committed, creative, heart-centered and intelligent therapists I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with. He is warm, trust-worthy, and discerning in clinical judgment. Anyone in his care is in excellent hands. – Stephanie Baldwin, MSW, LCSW

My Story

Nashville, TN, is my chosen home, which found me after many twists and turns in my biography. I was born and raised in Germany and immigrated to the US in my early 20s. I spent my early adult life trying different jobs until ultimately finding psychology and helping people as my calling.

I’m glad to have found my calling and that I get to express myself in my core values of creativity, connection, and health. Part of my story includes experiencing what it means to be in the minority (e.g., being an immigrant whose first language was not English). That experience provided me with first-hand knowledge of the importance of being culturally sensitive, and I believe in practicing as a culturally-sensitive therapist. I think that understanding our backgrounds (including our belief systems, ethnicities, age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status) is important in crafting our most ideal lives.

Seeing friends and family members in the struggle was a painful experience in my early adulthood, and I was, of course, not exempt from that, either. I got to see how we truly get sick in isolation. It has been truly incredible to see and witness that our stories of struggle don’t have to dictate where life takes us. It was clear to me how I wanted to spend my life. Being a therapist is more than my job. It is truly my calling that aligns with who I am as a person.

Christian is an extraordinary therapist for individuals, couples, and any human who is going through a life transition and could use support. Christian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to carefully and effectively support individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, adjusting to life changes, and more. I have known Christian for 7 years and am aware of many individuals who have benefitted from his powerful healing approach and will continue to highly recommend him- Ashley Danner, MA, LMFT

My Training

When it comes to my training, I would say that my conceptual background is extensive. AND, I’m a huge believer in the therapeutic relationship being the SINGLE-MOST important factor when it comes to successful therapy. All my sessions are connection-driven – the relationship comes first. Always. At the same time, in the back of my mind, is a constant Rolodex going with all the interventions and techniques I have picked up over the years to help my clients create meaningful change. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Humans are complex. So I meet my clients where they are at and use my training to help my clients get unstuck and move toward their most valued lives. I hold an overall systemic view and heavily rely on contextual behavioral therapies to make change happen. I rely on scientifically-validated approaches. I love dissecting the most cutting-edge research in my free time and getting lost in the newest books, podcasts, and trainings. Everything I have trained in stems from my striving to provide the best care possible for my clients and their unique lives.

What follows is not a comprehensive CV, but it gives you an idea as to what I have been trained in. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from a University in Germany (Hagen) before immigrating to the US. I obtained my Master’s in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Southern University. I’ve been working alongside people within therapeutic roles for more than a decade now. I spent my time in residential treatment communities (first in North Carolina than California), working with people encountering more lifelong struggles such as schizophrenia. Before finding Nashville as my home, I lived in Houston. It was there that I completed my graduate internship at The Council on Recovery and was invited to complete a post-graduate fellowship. At the Council, I co-facilitated weekly groups and saw clients individually, as well as couples and families. Often, my clients (and their families) had been impacted by addiction (alongside anxiety and depression). Coping, grief, loss, and stress management, and repair of relationships were things I commonly helped with. Following my time at The Council, I ventured into private practice and became the Creative Clinical Director at one of Houston’s most prestigious practices for high-functioning professionals. On top of seeing individuals and couples, I hosted weekend intensives and oversaw the ongoing training of the entire clinical staff as part of my leadership role.

On top of my collegiate education, I have been fortunate to continue learning in various settings (and modalities). To serve the couples I see the best, I completed the Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level I+II trained), as well as PACT (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy, Level I+II trained), and have extensive training in EFT (Emotionally-Focused Therapy for Couples). I’ve undergone multiple trainings in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (and other thrid-wave behavioral therapies) and continue to be active with them in their professional organization (Association for Contextual and Behavioral Sciences). I am also a member and Clinical Fellow at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. If you have any self-help books on your shelf, you likely will have come across Brené Brown and the incredible work she is doing. I have been very fortunate to have taken her training for helping professionals and am a Certified Daring Way Facilitator™. I am licensed in the State of Tennessee as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and in Texas as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as Licensed Professional Counselor.

Christian is a stellar mental health clinician. He has both the clinical expertise and the relational skills to help clients overcome challenges and meet their goals. Christian is the kind of therapist you want all of you friends and family to see! – Kellie Klinck, MA, LPC