Christine Stellino, ACSW

Trauma, Anxiety & Life Transition Therapy in Seal Beach & Online

Associate Clinical Social Worker at Coastal Therapy & Wellness

I work with adults, older adults, caregivers, and parents moving through hard transitions: trauma, grief, relationship patterns, and the weight that builds when you’re holding everything together for everyone else. My work starts from one idea: you already carry real strengths and resilience, even when it’s hard to feel that way, and therapy can help you reconnect with them. I see clients online throughout California, and in person at our Seal Beach office.

Education

Professional Credentials

Trauma

Anxiety

Grief & Loss

Relationship Patterns

Self-Esteem

Life Transitions

Caregiver Stress

Emotional Regulation

Your Strengths Are Still There

Therapy should feel safe, respectful, and collaborative, a space where you’re heard without judgment. A lot of what keeps people stuck is carrying past experiences that still shape how they think, feel, and connect with others today.

My role is to help you recognize patterns, question beliefs that no longer serve you, and build healthier ways of responding. You’re not starting from zero. Most people already carry real strengths and resilience, even when it’s hard to see, and therapy can help you reconnect with those qualities.

Change happens when you build genuine confidence, self-compassion, and emotional balance, not by forcing yourself to just push through.

How I Help

Common Reasons Clients Reach Out

Every client's story is different, but many people come to me carrying similar things: painful experiences that still linger, relationship patterns that feel hard to shift, or the weight of caring for everyone else while running on empty.

Trauma

Support for processing painful experiences and understanding how they still shape your thoughts, emotions, and relationships today.

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Anxiety

Support for constant worry, racing thoughts, and the mental spiraling that won't switch off.

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Grief & Loss

Support for the pain of loss, whether it's recent or something you've carried for a long time.

Relationship Patterns

Help recognizing the patterns that keep showing up in your relationships, and building healthier ways of connecting.

Self-Esteem

Support for the beliefs that shape how you see yourself, your confidence, and your boundaries.

Caregiver Stress & Life Transitions

Support for the exhaustion of caring for others and the uncertainty that comes with big life changes.

About Christine Stellino, ACSW

Most of my career has been about showing up for people going through hard things: trauma, homelessness, grief, and big life changes. That work taught me how much it means to have someone listen, stay steady, and help you see your own strengths, even when things feel like too much.

I became a therapist because I wanted to build a space where people could safely process what they’ve been through, understand themselves more clearly, and move forward with hope and a real sense of direction.

I don’t stick to one approach. I blend cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR preparation and interventions, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work, along with mindfulness and grounding skills, depending on what you need and where you’re ready to go.

I bring real-world experience working with families, seniors, caregivers, and people navigating crisis, so I understand both the emotional and practical sides of what you’re dealing with. I’m compassionate, but direct. I’ll support you with empathy while also helping you challenge avoidance and patterns that are keeping you stuck. I value honesty, a little humor when it fits, and building a relationship where you feel both supported and empowered.

I work with clients online throughout California, and in person at our Seal Beach office.

My Approach to Trauma, Anxiety & Life Transitions

My clients usually want more than short-term relief. They want to understand the patterns behind their thoughts, relationships, and choices, and build tools that actually fit their life.

My approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and strengths-based. Some clients want practical coping tools right away; others want to dig into where a pattern started. Usually it’s a mix of both.

The goal is to help you feel more like yourself, with skills that hold up long after our sessions end.

Your First Steps

What You Can Expect When We Work Together

A Thoughtful Start

Reaching out can feel like the hardest step, but you don't have to navigate it alone. You'll first connect with our Client Care Coordinator, who will answer your questions, learn more about what you're looking for, and help determine whether I'm the right fit. They'll then help you schedule your first appointment or a consultation call if you'd like to connect first.

A Personalized Approach

Our first sessions are about understanding you, not rushing to solutions. We'll explore what's been feeling difficult, what you hope will feel different, and begin creating a plan tailored to your goals, strengths, and unique experiences. There is no one size fits all approach.

Therapy That Evolves With You

As therapy progresses, we'll continue adapting our work to meet your needs. Some sessions may focus on practical tools, while others involve deeper work through approaches like EMDR or exploring long standing patterns. I also regularly check in to make sure therapy feels helpful, meaningful, and aligned with your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy With Christine Stellino, ACSW

What types of clients do you work with?

Adults, older adults, caregivers, and parents working through trauma, grief, relationship patterns, big life transitions, and anxiety. Many of my clients are also caregivers or navigating major changes in their lives.

How do I know if therapy with you is the right fit?

Finding the right therapist is an important part of the process. My approach is compassionate but direct, and always collaborative. During our first conversation, we'll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you're hoping will feel different, and whether working together feels like the right fit.

What happens during the first therapy session?

Our first session is about getting to know you. We'll talk about what's been feeling hard, whether that's a past experience, a relationship pattern, or a life transition, and start building a plan around your goals.

How often should I attend therapy?

Most clients start with weekly sessions, especially when we're working through trauma or a major life change. As things progress, we'll check in together and adjust the frequency to match what you need.

Do you offer online or in-person therapy?

Both. I see clients online throughout California, and in person at our Seal Beach office.

Do you accept insurance?

I'm currently a private-pay provider and don't accept insurance directly. A few other clinicians at the practice do accept limited insurance panels, so if that matters for you, just mention it when you reach out and our team can point you to the right fit.

What makes your approach different?

It's built around where you are, not a one-size-fits-all plan. I blend structured tools, like cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR preparation, with open exploration, so we move at the pace that actually works for you.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Starting therapy can feel like a big decision, but you don't have to navigate it alone. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready for meaningful change, I invite you to reach out and explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

Schedule a Consultation