Christine Leyva Buccio

My name is Christine Leyva Buccio. I am a licensed Marriage and Family therapist. For the past 15 years, I have dedicated my life to improving the psychological health of families including adults, adolescents, and children in the Greater Los Angeles Area. My expertise is with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families who present with various mental disorders (i.e., mood, anxiety; behavioral), addiction, and a history of trauma. My strengths are my ability to transcend into my client's world without any bias or discrimination using my own testimony as empowerment. It is in the authentic therapeutic-client relationship that change occurs as one is guided to self-reflect and explore. I am certified in multiple evidenced practices such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. My skills and experience have allowed me to deal with various diverse cultures who are reluctant to seek treatment due to stigma. Having been raised as Armenian and Greek, I have experienced the multicultural and societal pressures firsthand. In the face of a person experiencing a challenging life event, even the most competent person may need extra support or guidance. Everyone has problems and there is no shame in seeking help. It is my goal to create a safe Christ-Centered environment for you to navigate through issues of acculturation, and emotional scars from the past that prevent you from pursuing God's purposes.

My approach

I am trained in multiple evidence-based practices including TF-CBT; MAP; Triple P and I also utilize Christ-Centered Therapy. I use my own testimony as a means to provide empowerment and hope. Some common theoretical approaches I use with my clients are parent-child interactive therapy; play therapy; Christ-centered centered; CBT; DBT; psychodynamics; rational emotive therapy; family therapy and attachment.

My focus

I typically work with children as I have experience working as a consultant at the school district and conducting workshops for teachers and parents on parenting; conflict resolution; grief; mood disorders and dual diagnosis. I have experience with young teen to adults working at residential facilities level 13 and 12 for dual diagnosis. I have years of experience with family and couples therapy as well. I am the most comfortable treating ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders; mood disorders; dual diagnosis; grief; attachment; parenting; anxiety disorders; and trauma;

My communication style

I take the environment very seriously as it's in the relationship that clients see change; grow and experience a corrective experience. My tone is welcoming; positive and compassionate. Providing a safe environment one that has no background distractions; a welcoming setting; limited background noise; a welcoming tone frequent smiles and open conversations about their hobbies; interests, strengths, and challenges along with self-disclosure ( if therapeutic in that particular instance ) to feel welcomed and empathized. I invite them to ask questions to get to know each other as a means to build rapport; trust and a positive relationship. I empathize with their trauma, accept their feelings; listen attentively to details, and week after week show up for them recall what I know about them, and all their past sessions and think about how their experiences might be impacting them in the present. It feels an honor to be part of their change and with the knowledge that in some measure I was able to help facilitate that. It feels rewarding. There is no greater privilege when clients share their stories with me and are able to trust me with their pain and celebrate the small victories along the way.

My journey to mental healthcare

As a young child, I always had the heart to help and serve people, especially my high tolerance for listening to painful stories and trying to problem-solve ways to release some of their pain. I used to be a nursing major but I always wanted a deeper connection and relationship with my patients. I would find myself listening to their stories and wanting to go deeper and continue with the relationship even after such short care. As I became stronger in my Christian faith I was called to pursue a major in psychology. My own personal testimony of mental health struggles, trauma; and family dysfunctions made me more empathetic and driven to see people receive their healing and freedom as I had. My ability to transcend into my client's world is my biggest strength. I don't see this as a job but truly a ministry; a calling where I am able to use my knowledge; professionalism; years of experience, personal testimony, and love for serving people and seeing lives transform as my biggest motivation. Allowing people to have a second opportunity to rewrite the story of their lives through a healthier lens guided by me is truly an honor, a privilege which I will always thank my Lord for trusting me and blessing me in this calling.

My goals for you

I approach goal setting as one that focuses on clarity; measurability; reasonable; realistic and a clear path to achievement, often utilizing the SMART framework. I also encourage goals to align with the values that are important to them along with considering any potential obstacles and strategies needed to reach their goal. Once treatment goals are set I also explore intervention strategies to help achieve their goals as a means to instill hope.

My first session with you

Clients will expect a warm, positive welcome and a present therapist, ready to listen and provide a safe environment to feel heard. I will commend them for making the first step towards their healing journey. The therapist will introduce herself and give opportunity for the client to ask any specific questions about the therapist's approach and style. We will review the limits of confidentiality; and parameters of services and assess any risk factors; suicidality, and homicidal. Will review any assessment questionnaires and further explore the results and symptoms. Will gather detailed background history on presenting symptoms; coping tools; past history of therapy experience; and medical and trauma history will also we obtained. The therapist will ask open-ended and closed questions on the client's level of functioning and expectations of therapy.