Cristina Shea, LMSW
SHE/HER
Embarking on the journey of self-discovery and personal growth includes exploring aspects of your life that are deeply interconnected.
As a therapist specializing in working with young adults and adolescents, I am committed to helping you navigate the complexities of life, including anxiety, disordered eating, ADHD, and the intricate realm of sexual well-being. I have a passion for guiding young adults through the challenges of this uncharted phase of life.
Nurturing growth, healing, and empowerment, I guide individuals through the transformative journey of personal awakening.
Collaboration is at the core of my therapeutic philosophy. Through a client-centered and trauma-informed approach, we explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without judgment. Together, we’ll create a safe and empathetic environment to address the multifaceted aspects of your life.
I am LGBTQ+ and sex work/worker affirming and practice from a HAES perspective. My therapeutic style is casual, yet challenging, with humor and real life mixed in. My clients often come to me experiencing challenges with life transitions, body image, sex/sexuality and more. Together, we create a therapeutic plan, designed to meet their individual needs and goals, all while developing a solid foundation of skills and tools along the way.
I hold a master’s degree in social work from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors from Marymount Manhattan College, where I’m now an adjunct lecturer. I also completed a year of training at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy in the integrative treatment of eating disorders. Outside of my practice, I can be found on my yoga mat or curled up with my cat and a good book.
I began my own therapy as an angsty and stubborn teenager, unwilling to admit that my own standards for myself were exactly what was bringing me down. What I never expected was how special and important that time would become for me. Within that space, I have shared my greatest wins and most painful losses, my deepest fears and my most cherished loves. I’m fortunate to have found more peace and self-discovery, further improving my outlook on life, my relationships with others, and of most importance, my relationship with myself.