About me

I'm so glad that you are reaching out for help! I believe with all my heart that there is hope, and purpose and healing from pain. I am a Licensed Addictions counselor in South Dakota, and a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor in South Dakota and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa. I have been practicing for over 29 years working with adults and adolescents struggling with addictions and mental health issues. This is a judgement free zone! I am a Christian counselor with a passion for hope and healing through the love of God and evidenced based strategies. I am experienced in 12 Step therapies, DBT, CBT and Polyvagal approaches. I approach counseling from an existential and spiritual perspective. We will work together to create a plan to best meet your family's needs and walk through the healing journey together. You are not alone!

Getting help for your teen can be challenging - especially if they don't see any problems with their choices. I have a majority of my clinical experience in working with challenging teens. Relationship building is key and meeting them where they are at in the moment, allowing them to have choices in the process will increase their buy-in into the process. I work with them to build a bridge back to you! I'm not here to be your private eye - as I believe that a teen needs a safe space just to vent. Your teen can talk to you honestly and opening and my focus is work with you both to help this happen.

As for the teen reading this - I am so proud of you taking the chance to get help. I know you may not be thrilled to be here in this moment, and maybe even feel forced to do this. My promise is to honor you, your experiences and to work together to make things better. I may not say everything you want to hear, but I will be honest. All I ask is to keep an open mind, maybe try something different and see how it works. What do you got to lose? Looking forward to starting this journey with you!!

As for scheduling, I do not put all my open slots through self-scheduling. I am able to accommodate more than is posted. I have limited availability on nights and weekends, but am not opposed to making something work for you when you are willing to fully engage in the therapy process.

Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Addictions
  • Self esteem, Motivation
  • Depression
  • Coping with life changes
Also experienced in:
Family conflicts , Grief , Sleeping disorders , Parenting issues , Anger management , Career difficulties , Bipolar disorder , Coaching , Compassion fatigue , Abandonment , Codependency , Communication problems , Control issues , Read more...

Clinical approaches:
Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy

Years of Experience: 31

Services offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

  • Video

Licensing

SD LPC-MH LPC-MH2270

IA LMHC 111880

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Christy Alten. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.

Written on Feb 10, 2025 after therapy with Christy for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship

Awesome, respectful

Written on May 30, 2024 after therapy with Christy for 1 year and 3 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes

Very helpful.

Written on Oct 26, 2023 after therapy with Christy for 1 year and 9 months

My teenager has really benefited from working with Christy. I also appreciate the way Christy communicates with me (the parent) re my teenager’s progress. I would definitely recommend Christy as a therapist

Written on Sep 23, 2023 after therapy with Christy for 2 weeks

My time with Christy was quite short but I will say that she is professional and personable. She listened, assessed and had a game plan in place in one visit. She obviosly has a depth of knowledge and her skills as a therapist are deeply honed. I wouldn’t think twice about recommending her.

Written on Feb 28, 2023 after therapy with Christy for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues

Christy gets to root of issue, and guides you to make choices

Written on Jun 03, 2022 after therapy with Christy for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, sleeping disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd

Christy is amazing even when I am having off days Christy words help me work through those tough feelings.

Written on May 19, 2022 after therapy with Christy for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, and self esteem

Christy is the first therapist I have worked with who gives me real tools to work with. She listens and understands what I'm going through. I truly feel connected to her in each session.

Written on Apr 27, 2022 after therapy with Christy for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and self esteem

Christy is a caring and thoughtful therapist who gets to the heart of the matter in a kind and direct way. She truly listens to what I say and gives me good feedback and tools to use throughout my week. I highly recommend Christy, and would encourage anyone who is seeking therapy to consider teen counseling.

Written on Apr 15, 2022 after therapy with Christy for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coping with life changes

She’s awesome!

Written on Feb 07, 2022 after therapy with Christy for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes

Alten-Osmera has been terrific so far. Listens carefully and demonstrates understanding of my concerns.

Work with me!