Christine Penguino, LCSW, CSW

Christine Penguino is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Atlanta, Georgia, with seven years of clinical experience working across the lifespan. She also holds a CSW credential, a social work qualification included among her professional credentials. Her practice has ranged from play therapy with young children to grief counseling for grandparents, and more recently she has focused on supporting families within the LGTBQIA+ community as they navigate a wide variety of challenges.

Christine approaches therapy with a goal-directed, client-centered mindset, believing that most people have a sense of where they want to go and benefit from gentle guidance toward that destination. She encourages clients to try “homework” between sessions to track changes and learning. When assignments are not completed, she sees that as useful information about readiness, motivation, or obstacles rather than as failure.

She offers respectful, nonjudgmental support for kink and BDSM lifestyles and for people in ethically non-monogamous relationships such as polyamory. Christine has experience helping people transition out of conservative religious backgrounds, working on self-esteem and body positivity, and supporting neurodiverse clients with autism spectrum and ADHD diagnoses. Her clinical work also addresses anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, parenting, and grief.

Outside of work she brings humor and curiosity to life - she enjoys science fiction and fantasy, attends regional Burning Man events, makes art from thrift store Barbies, gardens despite mixed results, and relaxes by watching her tank of guppies and shrimp. Those personal interests inform an approachable, engaged therapeutic style that balances warmth with practical support.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Christine integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered methods into her online practice. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without letting them dictate behavior while focusing on personal values and meaningful action - it can be useful for anxiety, life changes, and struggles with motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and provides practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and to change unhelpful patterns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and respect, creating space for clients to explore their goals and make decisions at their own pace.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Christine works together with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. This collaborative process allows adjustments over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with Christine is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options make it easier to access therapy from home or while traveling, accommodate energy and attention differences, and support continuity of care when in-person sessions are not possible.