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A Safe, Affirming Space for Women

& LGBTQIA+ Individuals

"Not a burden, not undeserving, not broken, not a mess to be cleaned up, You are so endlessly enough."

-Author unknown

“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful parts of us.”
— David Richo

No matter the struggle—whether it feels small, overwhelming, or impossible—you are welcome here. This is a space rooted in acceptance, care, and understanding. My work is guided by love, kindness, and a deep belief in the healing power of being truly seen and heard.
I am committed to offering unconditional acceptance and a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can openly explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences—at your own pace and in your own way.
My therapeutic approach is integrative and compassionate, blending cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, EMDR, person-centered therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Together, we work toward greater insight, self-compassion, and a return to authentic, meaningful living.
This is where healing begins.
I specialize in working with women and LGBTQIA+ individuals, ages 12 and up. Areas of focus include self-esteem, parenting, communication, faith transitions and crises, existential concerns, LGBTQIA+ experiences (such as self-acceptance, coming out, and faith-related struggles), self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, among others.
You don’t have to walk this journey alone—support and understanding are here.

Your Healing & Happiness Are The Center of My Work

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Group of six women sitting on colorful graffiti-covered stairs, smiling, and enjoying each other's company.

Expressions Counseling Center

Christina Bastian, MA, LCMHC, C-DBT

expressionscounselingcenterut@gmail.com
385.323.0618 (text or call)

Utah Statewide Telehealth

Therapy with me includes:

Authenticity & Friendly Atmosphere:

I bring my personal authenticity into each session to encourage you in finding and expressing your authenticity! This means my southern sass will come out, I will call you out (lovingly) when I think you are misleading yourself, and I will tell horrible dad jokes. The atmosphere is kind, loving, and honest without the stuffiness of therapy (I don't even care if you swear).

Genuine Caring & Concern:

Everyone needs to know they are cared for and accepted as they are, and it is important to me you feel this in our sessions. I show this with each client I work with so that there is never a doubt you are cared for.

Expertise:

I believe YOU are the expert in you and I am the expert in mental health. TOGETHER, as a team, we help you overcome your struggles and reach your goals.

Holistic Care:

I look at your whole picture: mind-body connections and make recommendations to meet with your doctor (traditional or holistic) to address potential medical concerns. Treatment is customized and catered to meet your specific needs and goals.

Experience:

I have 13+ years of therapy experience and 30+ years experience of doing my own therapy work. Self-work is ongoing, as it aught to be for everyone. We evolve as we learn, grow, and age therefore our journey of self is never complete.

Telehealth:

Offering Telehealth, making therapy easier than ever! Want to wear pajamas? Need therapy during your lunch break? No problem...Telehealth is the service for you! Seriously, this option allows you to have therapy on-the-go so there is really never an excuse to not meet with me.

Confidentiality:

I take confidentiality seriously! Even with my adolescent clients...I keep what you share private (unless it involves your safety or the safety of others)! I believe everyone needs a safe place to talk.

Testimonials

“Christina has been my most valuable resource as I've worked to overcome the trauma of past abuse, as well as the challenges of a mixed-faith marriage. She is patient, respectful, and truly helps her clients feel seen and heard.”

K.W.

“Not a shitty therapist!”

E.D.

“Working with Christina Bastian has helped me to make healthy changes in my life. Not only is she insightful, but she also makes every session feel like you're talking to a friend!”

A.W.

(used with permission)

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Helping You See Light in the Darkness

What do I help with?

Women’s Issues

Depression

Self-Esteem

Suicidal Ideation

LGBTQIA+ Concerns

Coping Skills

Perfectionism

Self-Harming

Spirituality & Religion Transitions

Emotional Abuse

ADHD

Gender Identity

Mood Disorders

Parenting Issues

Anxiety

Communication Struggles

…just to name a few!

Accepted Insurance*

Anthem EAP

Optum EAP

Cigna (Ever north)

UnitedHealthcare

Allegiance

University Of Utah

Surest

Optum

DMBA

Aetna

BlueCross BlueShield

Select Health

*Double check with your insurance to ensure I am covered. NPI 1568883635.

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Fees

Free 15-Minute Consult: $0

Initial Diagnostic Evaluation (50 minutes): $150

Individual Therapy (45-50 minutes): $130

Family Therapy (if required): $140

Text Therapy (15-minutes): $28.75

Emergency Sessions or sessions lasting longer than 50 minutes: $30 - $140

Insurance Copays Vary by Insurance: $0 - $130*

*It is helpful for clients to be familiar with their insurance copay. If your copay amount is not known at the time of your session, I charge a $50 copay per session while we await confirmation from your insurance provider. This process can take 30 days or more.

Once your insurance information is finalized, your account will be updated accordingly. This may result in a credit, a remaining balance, or a zero balance. If a balance remains, it will be due at that time.

Therapeutic Approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Compassion Focused

Emotionally Focused

Integrative Therapy

Multiculturally Informed

Person-Centered/Humanistic

Psychodynamic

Positive Psychology

Mindfulness-Based Approaches

Gestalt Therapy

This is not an exhaustive list. I pull from other therapeutic techniques as well.

Who Am I?

A woman with red hair and glasses smiling in front of a decorated Christmas tree.
Color wheel with segments in green, purple, blue, and pink. Text reading "Member of The LGBTQQ-Affirmative Psychotherapist Guild of Utah, Inc." and website "www.lgbtqtherapists.com".
A circular badge featuring green and white colors, with the text 'Certified Professional Evergreen Certifications', 'EG', 'C-DBT', and 'Dialectical Behavior Therapy'.

Hello! I’m Christina and I run the join. I was raised in the South, and if you know anything about Southern women, you know sass comes standard. My mother and my loving partner will happily confirm that I came with a generous portion—and maybe a little extra (though still not more than my sister 😉). I love all types of cutesy animals having had three precious cat-children of my own until I had to rehome them (all three went to the same home). Now, I get my animal fix through social media. I enjoy PC gaming, though I am such an infant player, reading and creating coffee mugs. My favorite PC games are Once Human, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Where Winds Meet.

I met my partner on a dating app…crazy, right! We’ve been together for a bit over 7 years and married for 6. I have no children but my partner has 3 wonderful and amazing grown children. Here are some fun facts about me:

1. I HATE peas and beets with a passion!

2. I LOVE (deeply and truly) The Price is Right.

3. Fierce advocate for love, kindness, and respect.

4. I am an amateur photographer.

5. Devoted to my beloved partner and best friend!

6. I enjoy PC Gaming with my partner.

7. I award random points to things I find funny.

8. Greatly enjoys sarcasm (this is not sarcastic)!

9. I’ve been featured in Voyage and Canvas Rebel (twice)!

10. I make and sell inspiring and inappropriate coffee mugs. Visit The Moody Mug Company. (Currently on hiatus)

11. My mom makes the BEST chili!

12. She/Her pronouns.

13. Favorite number is 3!

14. I am a Libra.

15. I make up fun-crazy-yet-true statements. Here are some examples:

- "You are the author, editor, and publisher of your story.” This means you get to control the when, where, how, how much, and the who in how you share the details of your life.

- "Life does not provide us a yellow brick road.” To live one's life means building your path as you go. To build your path, lay down one brick at a time. Test it out. If it feels authentic, keep going. If it doesn't, just pick up the brick and move in a new direction!

- "Queens don't trifle with jokers!"

- "Broccoli...not everyone likes it and some people LOVE IT! But it does not concern itself with who does or does not like it. It just goes on living its luscious broccoli life. So why not be like broccoli!"

Reach Out

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and I will be in touch shortly. I can’t wait to hear from you! (Do not use this form if you have an emergency.)