Christina Canuto • MA • LMFT

I believe in the healing power of relationships. Often, what leads people to therapy is feeling disconnected from others. Humans are relational creatures with a primal need to feel accepted. You can expect me to help you through relational healing, practicing strategies for feeling fully connected to yourself and others. Populations I work with include, but are not limited to: inter-cultural couples, LGBTQ+ clientele and couples, parent-to-adult child relationships (families), Asian clientele or families, BIPOC clientele, pre-marital issues, infidelity, trauma, anxiety, and depression.

I would not have found the occupation of therapy, if not for art. My love of art in all forms began young, as I attended an arts-based middle and high school. I am grateful for the time in these schools spent as a beginning oboist and budding writer. Art school encouraged me to appreciate ways of thinking outside my own, to practice curiosity daily, and that our greatest tool in life is perspective. These are all lessons I carry with me as I practice therapy.

I went on to earn my Bachelor of the Arts in both Psychology and English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Hollins University, a private all-women’s liberal arts college. As a double major, I fell in love with the mixture of science and art. After graduating, I worked a few jobs in the hospitality industry and became fascinated with the complexities of family systems. I wanted a job where I could integrate my interest in human relationships with my love of helping others. I then pursued and completed my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pfeiffer University in 2022.

I have a passion for multi-cultural narratives. With Filipino, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, and Cherokee roots, I understand firsthand the complexities our cultural contexts carry. Having had my Filipino grandparents play a large part in my upbringing, I hold a high interest in immigrant backgrounds and bi-cultural identity integration. I often talk to my second and third generation immigrant clients about their family immigration narratives, which often include a mix of trauma and strengths. Our culture is becoming more aware of the weight of intergenerational trauma. I feel it is equally important to recognize our ancestral and familial strengths, which allowed those before us to navigate life with resiliencies.

Being a talk therapist gives me the opportunity to blend my love of language with my love of research-based practices. As a therapist, I use an eclectic approach that integrates multiple theories. Most theories I pull from are insight-oriented, such as Psycho-dynamic, Emotion-Focused, Narrative, and mindfulness-based approaches. I rarely use worksheets, as I believe the best change I can offer will come from experience in the moment. I will often ask you to experience thoughts and emotions differently through various strategies. The process of change is a collaborative one, and I see my role as combining your personal experience with my expertise.

Outside of my role as a therapist, I write poetry, mental health content, and creative non-fiction. You can also find me creating art, reading, meditating, spending time in nature with my partner, “parenting” my two dogs, and tending to my plants.

*The South Carolina Professional Counselors Board has granted me approval as a Professional Counselor Telehealth Provider. My credential number is (Credential # 1618).

Fees

Individual and Couples Counseling = 50-60 mins = $150

Family Counseling = 50-60 mins = $180

Lotus Place is out-of-network. While we do not accept insurance, we can provide a detailed invoice that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.