- Years in practice
- 15
- Credentials
- LCPC
- Licensed in
- Maine
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Family conflicts
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
About Crista
Crista Shaw is a licensed clinical professional counselor with 15 years of experience based in Maine. She emphasizes a calm, accepting presence so people can talk through hard emotions without feeling judged. Parents and individuals often come to her for help managing stress, anxiety, anger, grief, and changes in family life.
She uses straightforward, practical methods that focus on what will help day to day. That can mean identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, building skills to manage strong emotions, or working through the impact of past trauma.
Background and approach
Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented, with tasks to try between meetings when that fits the client's needs. Crista has worked with people coping with parenting challenges, adoption and foster care issues, blended family strains, and family of origin concerns. She also supports those facing postpartum depression, mood disorders, seasonal affective disorder, and concerns around sexuality and identity.
Her background includes addressing co-occurring problems like impulsivity, isolation, and substance-related patterns. Her approach is person-centered. She listens first, then suggests practical next steps.
She draws from cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior ideas when helpful, and adapts trauma-focused strategies for those recovering from abuse or traumatic events. Sessions aim to build clearer routines, steadier mood regulation, and better communication at home. Crista helps people map small changes that add up to more stability.
She encourages each person to set realistic goals and measure progress in ways that matter to them.
What Crista works with
Everything Crista lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Crista helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- Depression
- LGBT
- Grief
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Blended family issues
- Co-morbidity
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Sexuality
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Crista lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and responding to each person's concerns. The therapist creates an environment where the client's priorities shape the work and sessions focus on the person's experience and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers practical tools to change unhelpful patterns; it often includes short exercises and homework to practice new skills between sessions.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Crista will work with clients to test methods and pick what fits their needs, goals, and preferences. That means adjusting pace, choosing skill practice, or shifting toward trauma-focused techniques if past events are a central issue.
Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls are useful for a full session with visual cues. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging let clients touch base between sessions, share quick updates, or get support without scheduling a call. These options make it easier to fit consistent work into busy family routines, shift a check-in to a break at work, or keep momentum between appointments.
Questions people ask about Crista
What concerns does she help address?
Crista helps with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, and parenting challenges. She also supports people with ADHD, postpartum depression, mood disorders, and relationship strains tied to family of origin or blended families.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is person-centered and practical. Sessions are conversational, focused on identifying patterns and building skills clients can use between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
She has 15 years of professional experience working with adults on a range of emotional and family-related concerns.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed as an LCPC in Maine and practices with that licensure noted.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How are fees and starting handled?
Cost varies with location and availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
More therapists for parents in Maine
All in Maine
Tami Labul
LCSW
Maine 20 years in practice
Accessible LCSW focused on practical parenting support
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
Heather Revill
LPC, LCPC
Maine 12 years in practice
Practical, compassionate counseling for parents and adults
- Stress, Anxiety
- Self esteem
- Depression
Stephen Dexter
LCPC
Maine 12 years in practice
Supporting parents through addiction and family stress
- Addictions
- Relationship
- Family