I am excited and honored to be joining the team at Restoration Counseling of Atlanta!
I believe God paved a path for me long before I knew it. Through various detours and exploration, I have found where I belong.
Georgia has been home for most of my life. Originally from Indonesia, my family and I moved here when I was eight years old. I am a wife and a mother to a young son. I studied engineering and have been working in the technology industry. To put it simply, I enjoy problem-solving! However, I have yearned for something more.
My own experiences in therapy led me to become a therapist. I discovered people who could help me make sense of my past and memories that I had buried. Learning to seek this help, to open up, and to accept has taught me how empowering it is to be seen and known. God knows who we are inside and out, but we ourselves often lack understanding of who we are. I found so much insight into my own life after doing deep work, and I want to assist others in similar ways. I love listening to people’s stories! Linking my enjoyment and strength in finding solutions to my desire to care for others and build connections, I found how fulfilling it can be to use my talents to do God’s work in hearing people’s stories and facilitating change in their lives.
During my time at Richmont Graduate University, I learned how to integrate God’s Word with evidence-based interventions in counseling. I found that I resonate with the eclectic approach of exploring one’s past experiences and childhood to better understand how they shape who one is now (psychodynamic). Additionally, I like aspects of the Cognitive Behavior model (CBT) – particularly, looking into a person’s core beliefs and how they impact how one thinks, acts, and feels. This enables one to identify and modify beliefs that may need adjustment if they are no longer effective in our lives.
I also appreciate the advocacy in considering the cultural element of our stories. Growing up and living in multicultural communities, I have enjoyed getting to know different cultures, and I hope to continue to explore and engage with them.
The past few years, I have juggled more roles than ever – being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, employee, and student. Although it has been challenging, God always provides me with the extra strength during moments I need it the most. My husband and I have gone through many seasons of life: cycles of hope and disappointment, trials, griefs, and sicknesses. We often turn to Romans 8:28 to find comfort during challenging times. I believe this path God has paved has progressively sanctified and made me useful to Him for His good purposes.
As we work together, I want to inspire hope that no matter what season of life you find yourself in, you can heal and grow. You can reach me at christella@restorationcounselingatl.com, or schedule an appointment through our admin team at admin@restorationcounselingatl.com.