Availability
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Accepting new clients for EFP at Mane & Taill
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Accepting new clients at the Powell’s Point Office NC
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Not accepting new telehealth clients at this time
Accepts the Following Insurances
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BCBS
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Aetna
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Cigna
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MedCost
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Optum (UHC/UMR/VA)
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TriCare
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Farm Setting
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Powell’s Point NC
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Telehealth
Locations
Dr. Strayer's
Co-Therapist Team
Dr. Christina Strayer
Dr. Strayer is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor in North Carolina. She is trained in a variety of Integrative Therapies including Art, Yoga and Mindfulness along with being a Certified Counselor in Trauma Procedures (CCTP) , Telehealth certified (online counseling), EMDR and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT with canines, equines, goats, rabbits, and more) trained.
She brings a unique approach to her work with adults by teaming up with co-therapists, Cookie and various farm animals! Therapy animals are proven to assist clients in many therapeutic ways. Her theoretical approach is client-centered and holistic. She has combined her study of the power of the Human and Animal Bond in healing with proven Counseling Theories/Techniques and provides sessions in a clinical, online or farm setting!
She has a diverse background in counseling and teaching. She has served as an adjunct professor at Campbell University in the Counselor Education department. She has traveled and conducted seminars for PESI, a national continuing education organization and conducts Seminars/Workshops/Groups locally on a variety of Mental Health/Wellness topics. She works with ages 18 and up in the areas of PTSD, Panic Disorder, Crisis Intervention, Compassion Fatigue, ADHD, Stress, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Anxiety, Depression, Goal setting, Self-Esteem, Conflict resolution, Social Skills, and Life Balance.
Christina graduated from the Doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision through Argosy University in Sarasota, FL. She obtained both a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development with a concentration in K-12 School Counseling and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Radford University in Radford, Virginia.
Ed.D, LCMHCS, LCMHCS, AAT, CCTP, DCC, EFP, THTC, CYT-200, NLC-P
She/ Her/ Hers
LGBTQ+ Allied
Cookie
Hello! I am Cookie. Do not let my name fool you! I am a proud Chihuahua/Pomeranian mix. Christina visited friends at the Selma Cotton Mill one day and asked if any rescues who they thought would be a good therapy dog candidate showed up to please let her know because Dooli was almost ready to retire. I showed up the same day she was visiting! After no one claimed me, she adopted me.
I bonded quickly with Christina and my new family. I enjoyed playing with my new toys, getting treats, snuggling for naps, and meeting my new dog cousins! Then, Christina took me for obedience training. After obedience training, Christina began to take me to work and she along with my canine brother Dooli (who is a legend he said), began to train me for therapy work. I cannot believe I have gone from being homeless to working with Christina to help people learn how to relax, change their negative thought patterns (hey, I had my own to change!), and many more goals we work on together. She pays me with love, walks, my favorite treats and playtime! I also travel with Christina to teach other professionals how to incorporate animals in therapy settings. We recently went to New York! I made a lot of friends and enjoyed the Madison Park!
I will always be grateful to Dooli for passing his job on to me! He taught me how to work hard by sleeping, snoring (providing free aromatherapy a.k.a. passing gas) and occasionally being playful. Sometimes I have to be serious and listen/follow my obedience commands so I do, especially to teach children why we have to be civil sometimes for ourselves and others. Dooli let me come to work with him for 2 months and trained me!
I work with the best animal team here at Animal Assisted Therapy of the Triangle and at Fuzzy Face Refuge! I am so happy I work with other therapy animals here Ella and Miles. When I am at the farm, I have fun seeing the goats, rabbits, geese, horses and ponies! When I take breaks I visit Melodie and her pups at Green Earth Herbals right here in the building and just play!
I also had the best human trainers at Carolina Ranch in Garner, Adam and Morgan. They made training fun and taught Christina how to continue my training at home. I enjoyed my time there so much I still visit them to stay sometimes!
When not working, I enjoy playing with my canine sister, Miss Maude, who is blind (she is my best friend), visiting my animal cousins, family, playing with my favorite Teddy Bear, petting people on the head, giving kisses, and acting like a cat sometimes. Everyone calls me Cat-Dog!