Christine “Chrissy” Bruso, LCSW

Christine "Chrissy" Bruso is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Virginia who brings warmth, practicality, and a strengths-based focus to her work. With 14 years of experience, she draws on a diverse professional background that includes roles as a horse farm manager and riding instructor, legal secretary, adoption support worker, and counselor for individuals with autism and their families. Those varied experiences contribute to a flexible, empathetic style that meets people where they are.

Chrissy combines honest, kind feedback with practical tools designed to help clients connect with their most authentic selves and pursue a more abundant life. She emphasizes healthy family dynamics, boundary-setting, and self-care, and she is especially passionate about supporting mothers who struggle under unrealistic expectations. Her work often centers on strengthening relationships, clarifying personal values, and building routines that sustain balance and wellbeing.

Her clinical orientation integrates person-centered principles, family systems and structural perspectives, and cognitive behavioral therapy to tailor treatment to each person's needs. She values collaborative partnership and believes progress is strongest when built together. Chrissy typically checks messages once per day Monday through Friday and aims to respond during standard business hours as promptly as possible.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy is a compassionate, listening-focused approach that prioritizes the client's perspective and personal goals. It helps people explore values, gain self-understanding, and build confidence in making changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and developing practical skills to respond differently. It is commonly used for anxiety, stress, mood concerns, and other day-to-day challenges.

Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes small, actionable steps and the client’s existing strengths to move toward concrete goals. It can be especially useful when someone wants focused, goal-oriented work.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Chrissy works collaboratively with each person to choose methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors sessions and combines techniques as appropriate to support progress.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how sessions happen - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into a busy life. These options support ongoing access to licensed professionals and allow therapy to continue from different locations and schedules.