Christy Nyakana

Are you the person who looks completely fine on the outside while quietly feeling overwhelmed underneath? Maybe you’re exhausted from overthinking every interaction, replaying conversations in your head at 2 a.m., or wondering why the same painful relationship patterns keep showing up in your life. You may be carrying anxiety, trauma, burnout, grief, or years of feeling responsible for everyone else while ignoring your own needs. Perhaps you’ve gotten very good at functioning while secretly feeling disconnected, emotionally drained, or stuck.

I work especially well with people who are insightful, self-aware, and tired of pretending they’re “fine.” Many of my clients are caregivers, professionals, military families, people navigating major life changes, or individuals trying to heal from difficult childhood experiences and unhealthy relationships. Others are struggling with body image, self-worth, or the emotional side of bariatric surgery and life transitions.

My style is warm, conversational, and supportive. Therapy with me is not about sitting in a cold, clinical space feeling judged or analyzed. It’s about having honest conversations in a place where you can finally exhale a little. We’ll work together to better understand your patterns, strengthen your sense of self, and help you move toward healthier relationships, clearer boundaries, and a life that feels more authentic and manageable.

And yes—because I provide teletherapy from home, one of my cats may occasionally wander through the background. I consider that part of the experience.

If you’re ready to stop carrying everything alone and start making meaningful changes, I’d love to help. Reach out when you’re ready, and let’s see if we’re a good fit.

I believe therapy works best when people feel safe enough to be honest about what they are experiencing without fear of judgment. My approach is rooted in helping clients better understand themselves, where their emotional patterns come from, and how past experiences may still be influencing their current relationships, stress, self-esteem, and daily life.

My work is primarily influenced by psychodynamic and humanistic therapy approaches. In simple terms, that means we spend time exploring the deeper “why” behind emotions, behaviors, and relationship patterns while also focusing on self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Understanding these patterns can help people stop feeling stuck in the same cycles and begin making healthier, more intentional choices.

I also believe therapy should feel human and collaborative rather than cold or overly clinical. Many clients I work with are used to carrying everything on their own and often feel emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or overwhelmed. I try to create a space where clients can finally exhale a little, speak openly, and feel accepted as they are.

My style tends to be warm, conversational, and genuine. I believe humor, authenticity, and a strong therapeutic connection can be incredibly healing. While therapy can involve difficult conversations, it can also create relief, clarity, and a stronger understanding of yourself and your needs.

Ultimately, my goal is to help clients build insight, improve relationships, strengthen boundaries, reduce emotional distress, and create meaningful changes that feel authentic and sustainable over time.

Our first session is really an opportunity for us to get to know each other and talk about what brings you to therapy. We’ll spend time discussing your history, current concerns, and what you hope to gain from the process so I can better understand who you are and how I may be able to help.

It’s also a chance for you to ask questions—about therapy itself, my background and approach, or anything else that helps you feel more comfortable. I believe it’s important that therapy feels collaborative and supportive from the very beginning.

Research consistently shows that one of the biggest factors in successful therapy is the connection between therapist and client, so I take that relationship seriously. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling like you had a genuine conversation with someone who is interested in understanding you, rather than feeling like you sat through something cold or overly clinical.