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Meet Cristina

Cristina Young is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with a private psychotherapy practice dedicated to helping adults improve their parenting, relationships, and family dynamics. She has more than 25 years of experience providing professional support to clients in a variety of settings. She and her husband raised their family in Greenwich, CT before relocating to Miami in 2021. Having lived in Maryland, Washington, DC, New York City, Hawaii, California, Connecticut, and now Miami, Cristina knows how to make a variety of people feel welcome in her practice.

Her work in public and private schools as a teacher, school counselor and admissions officer prepared Cristina for the opening of her private practice in 2013. Through individual sessions and weekly parenting groups, Cristina facilitates conversations designed to provide people with relief and clarity. She is known for giving her clients the tools, insights, and confidence necessary to navigate the difficulties inherent in every relationship. Her presentations and workshops highlight the challenges we all struggle with, but participants always leave with solutions and strategies.

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Education

Post-graduate training in Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Internal Family Systems, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy have provided Cristina with the tactics to teach clients how to uncover the inherent strength that lies within them. As a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator and Mindfulness-Based Practitioner, Cristina teaches parents research-backed strategies that work. Certified as a Fair Play Method Facilitator, Cristina also integrates tactics from this time-and-anxiety saving system that offer individuals a completely new way to divvy up domestic responsibilities.

Cristina received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California and her bachelor’s and teaching degree from Barnard College, Columbia University. She and her husband have three children, ages 24, 21 and 18.

Additional Interests

AileyCamp Miami

As a former ballet dancer and an avid follower of all things Alvin Ailey, Cristina has recently become interested in AileyCamp Miami, which is a summer day camp where middle school students are immersed in dance as a physical activity that, in addition to expanding aesthetic awareness, fosters athletic ability and skills demanded. As a result, campers increase confidence, self-esteem, leadership skills and enjoy a variety of social activities.

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Leap for Ladies

Cristina also recently learned about the Leap for Ladies organization based in Little Havana, Miami. LEAP empowers women who have experienced incarceration through transformational opportunities and advocacy. Having met several of the LEAP participants, Cristina plans to run a group on their behalf later this year.

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Engln Teaching

Currently, Cristina volunteers her time with an organization called EngIn, teaching English to Ukrainian students online. Cristina and Irina, the student assigned to her, have met once a week on Zoom since the war in Ukraine started to discuss a wide variety of topics while improving Irina’s English skills.

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Individual Sessions with Cristina

Individual sessions are one-on-one sessions for adults seeking support pertaining to a wide variety of parenting issues.

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"The single best decision I've made as a parent is to work with Cristina. I have had the distinct honor of participating in multiple parenting groups with Cristina over the last several years, and her insights continue to help me be a more thoughtful parent and form even more meaningful relationships with my children as they grow. She is incredibly well-researched, and has decades of experience both in schools, in private practice, and obviously in her own family, which all lend to her well-rounded, calm, and rational advice."

Hillary Carter
(Greenwich, CT)

Cristina Young should be the marking stick for a great therapist. Her reputation is impeccable and word of mouth praise from long time clients speaks volumes about her effectiveness as a therapist. She is a compassionate listener and quick study. With her years of training and experience working with families, she can quickly help patients identify issues and, most importantly, collaborate with them on action steps they can take to address the issues. She’s solution driven and not in an overwhelming way. Step by step. Incrementally. Just what you can handle at that moment. Cristina is different from many therapists in that she draws from her own life to give examples. She is a great model of how it is to live with authenticity and vulnerability so one can be more joyful and free.

Callie Dunn
(Greenwich, CT)

“The group sessions with Cristina Young have been extremely helpful in giving me the tools to become a more mindful and effective parent. Cristina provides scripts that can be used in real time and actually work with the kids. She has provided me with the tools to help motivate my children to reach their full potential.”

Stephanie M.
(Miami Beach )

“What I love most about Cristina is her relaxed demeanor and her sensible approach to parenting. She leaves you with a very usable library of tools to use in times of parenting distress. The reason I highly recommend working with Cristina is that you will gain a new perspective about yourself, your spouse and your children that will allow you to parent in a more positive, productive way.”

Emily C.
(Miami Beach)

“Cristina is very professional and approachable. From the moment I arrived, her group felt different. I have always wanted a mantra, and Cristina had suggested: "This is not an emergency" and honestly since hearing this, it has helped me so much in just staying calm. I would highly recommend Cristina’s group to anyone wanting to better themselves. I looked so forward to that 1.5 hours each week, and walked away feeling so clear in my thoughts. ”

Shana R.
(Miami)

“Cristina was professional and empathetic and helped us so much in our parenting journey. I highly recommend her!”

Maxine E.
(Miami)

“Cristina has been such a helpful resource for me as I parent kids through the loss of their mom. She has provided me support and wise guidance that has made me a better parent to my boys during a period of intense need. I would recommend her with absolutely zero reservations. She not only helps me emotionally, but also gives me practical advice that I can actually implement. She has made a huge difference in my life and in that of my boys. “

Ken S.
(Westport, CT)

"I am so grateful to have had Cristina's guidance in this crazy journey of parenting. Cristina's impact on me as a mom has been invaluable. Through individual sessions and mom's groups, she changed how I approach my children, and has given me great insight on why and how to improve my self-care - for the benefit of me, my marriage and my family. Cristina never minces words, she listens hard and gives thoughtful, actionable, wise advice for every situation."

Kelsey M.
(Riverside, CT)

“Cristina has given me great tools that have helped me become a calmer leader within my family. She's guided me through thorny situations, helping me to help my kids when they need it most. I am forever in her debt.”

Bridie L.
(Riverside, CT)

“I'm so grateful for Cristina! Through her group sessions, I feel better equipped to deal with the everyday challenges of parenting. Her scripts, background information, and actionable tips are tools that I've been able to use immediately... with results. Cristina is an expert in her field and highly skilled in running groups -- I cannot recommend CMY enough!”

Heeyoon S.
(Riverside, CT)