Christy Alten, LPC-MH, LMHC
Christy Alten - Licensed counselor with 31 years
- Addictions and mental health
- Spiritual and evidence-based
- Supervision for clinicians
About Christy Alten
Christy Alten brings more than three decades of clinical experience to her work with adults and adolescents facing addictions and mental health challenges. She is a licensed addictions counselor in South Dakota and holds the credentials LPC-MH and LMHC - that is, Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health and Licensed Mental Health Counselor - which reflect her training and state licensure. Over 31 years of practice, she has combined evidence-based methods with a faith-informed perspective to support healing, purpose, and resilience.
Her clinical approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Gottman work for couples, Accelerated Resolution Therapy training, and polyvagal-informed strategies. She also draws on existential and spiritual frameworks to explore values, meaning, and life purpose alongside practical symptom-focused tools. Her specialties include addictions, anxiety, depression, grief, family and relational concerns, sleep difficulties, parenting challenges, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue, among others.
In addition to direct clinical work, she has over 22 years of experience providing clinical supervision and professional development for clinicians at different stages of their careers. Scheduling is handled collaboratively rather than through self-scheduling; she maintains limited availability on nights and weekends and will discuss options with prospective clients who are ready to engage in the therapeutic process.
Christy approaches counseling as a collaborative journey, helping clients develop a plan tailored to their needs and goals while offering experienced guidance from assessment through recovery and growth.
Her clinical approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Gottman work for couples, Accelerated Resolution Therapy training, and polyvagal-informed strategies. She also draws on existential and spiritual frameworks to explore values, meaning, and life purpose alongside practical symptom-focused tools. Her specialties include addictions, anxiety, depression, grief, family and relational concerns, sleep difficulties, parenting challenges, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue, among others.
In addition to direct clinical work, she has over 22 years of experience providing clinical supervision and professional development for clinicians at different stages of their careers. Scheduling is handled collaboratively rather than through self-scheduling; she maintains limited availability on nights and weekends and will discuss options with prospective clients who are ready to engage in the therapeutic process.
Christy approaches counseling as a collaborative journey, helping clients develop a plan tailored to their needs and goals while offering experienced guidance from assessment through recovery and growth.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
Family conflictsGriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacksPregnancy and childbirthSelf-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Christy Alten have?
Christy Alten has 31 years of experience working with adults and adolescents on addictions and mental health concerns.
Is Christy Alten a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credentials LPC-MH and LMHC. License details include SD LPC-MH LPC-MH2270 and IA LMHC 111880.
In which languages does Christy Alten provide therapy?
Christy provides therapy in English.
Where is Christy Alten located?
Christy Alten is located in Iowa.
How can I work with Christy Alten as my therapist?
You can work with Christy Alten through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Christy Alten work with international clients?
Christy Alten does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Christy Alten cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Christy Alten
Christy integrates several practical, research-informed approaches into online work to meet a range of needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and teaching skills to change them - it is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress management. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills, making it helpful for strong emotional reactions, relationship conflicts, and coping with crises. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, collaborative relationship in which the therapist listens deeply and helps clients discover solutions that align with their values and goals.Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process; Christy works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. Licensed professionals guide this decision-making alongside the client rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all model.
Online therapy offers practical benefits for busy lives - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow scheduling flexibility and make it easier to maintain consistent care from home or work. These options increase access to ongoing support and make it simpler to integrate therapy into daily routines while working toward meaningful change.