Christian Claiborne

My name is Claiborne Christian and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia. My style of therapy, a style that I call Grace-based therapy, has a little bit of cognitive-behavioral, a lot of stuff that I've learned in Sunday school, and it blends motivational interviewing and Rational emotive therapy as well.

My approach

The most common therapeutic approaches that I use are cognitive-behavioral as well as family systems. We blend this a little bit with motivational interviewing so that we roll with whatever resistance that the client has while at the same time working to give them comfort that we will give our best to get to the bottom of whatever situation they have.

My focus

The type of clients I have worked with has varied from teens in the midst of adolescent angst to First Responders who are dealing with the trauma of the most recent issue. I like to say let's talk and let's see if we are a fit.

My communication style

My style of communication is a conversational style. I like to hope that I weave questions that are therapeutic into the conversation so as to make everybody feel comfortable but still get the needed information.

My journey to mental healthcare

Initially, I was going to be a medical doctor but as a 19-year-old undergrad, the wrong anatomy class sent me to be a Psychology major. I figured that was cool because I was going to be a psychiatrist anyway because my grandmother had Alzheimer's disease and I wanted to study to create a cure. Needless to say, that did not occur but I did get three additional degrees and licenses in different states to provide therapy. I have found that this was truly my life's calling and I do not regret it ever. We did not cure Alzheimer's but I do believe we have helped many people of many nationalities with how to cope with daily life.

My goals for you

Goal setting for me is mostly listening as well as translating back to the client some information that they relay, hopefully coming to the point that the client agrees on what we lay out as a team for the goals.

My first session with you

Our first session will be a conversation where we just talk and get to know each other. As we talk, I should be able to use information that you give me to help me begin to form an initial assessment which, if necessary, we will continue with the second session, but it will always be conversational and relaxed to get the best out of the client.