Christine Penguino , LCSW, CSW

Christine Penguino is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and CSW practicing in Atlanta, Georgia, with more than seven years of experience across age groups and settings. Her clinical background ranges from play therapy with young children to grief work with grandparents, and she has increasingly focused on supporting families in the LGBTQIA+ community as they navigate a variety of life challenges.

She brings a warm, curious style to her work and often grounds sessions with humor and a passionate approach to life. Outside of therapy Christine enjoys science fiction and fantasy - she is particularly engaged with Isaac Asimov's Foundation series and follows adaptations closely. She attends regional Burning Man events, creates art from thrift-store Barbies, gardens despite mixed results, and relaxes by watching her tank of guppies and ghost shrimp. She also enjoys board games, puzzles, and attending conventions.

In clinical work Christine is kink and BDSM lifestyle friendly and supportive of ethically non-monogamous relationships such as polyamory. She has experience helping people transition out of conservative religious backgrounds and process shifts in belief and subculture. Her practice includes work with self-esteem and body positivity, and she has substantial experience with non-neurotypical clients, including those on the autism spectrum and with ADHD. She regularly addresses anxiety and depression as well as issues related to trauma, relationships, parenting, and grief.

Christine’s approach is goal-directed and client-centered; she assumes clients usually know where they want to go and helps them move toward those goals by gently encouraging work at the edge of comfort. She often collaborates with clients to design practical “homework” to try between sessions as a way to measure progress and learn what helps. If you are ready to begin a therapy journey, Christine aims to partner with you in that process.

Therapeutic Approaches and Flexible Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and then choose actions that align with their values - it can be useful for addressing anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship in which the client’s goals guide the work; this approach supports growth in self-esteem, identity exploration, and relationship concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) identifies patterns of thinking and behavior that maintain distress and teaches practical strategies to change them, often helping with anxiety, depression, and stress management.

Finding the right blend of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Christine collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress and circumstances evolve. This collaborative stance helps ensure therapy feels relevant and doable.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which increase flexibility for scheduling and accessibility for people living in different places or juggling busy lives. These formats allow licensed professionals to work with clients across distances and can make it easier to maintain consistency while balancing daily responsibilities.