Hi, I'm Christine Bartel, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) in North Carolina and the founder of Willow Haven Counseling Services.

My passion for women's mental health is deeply personal. As a woman living with ADHD, a mom, part of a blended family, and the mother of a child with both ADHD and autism, I understand firsthand that life rarely follows the path we imagined. I know what it feels like to carry the invisible mental load, question whether you're doing enough, navigate the unique challenges of parenting, and wonder where you've gone in the midst of caring for everyone else. Those experiences have shaped not only who I am but also the therapist I strive to be. They are what drive my passion for helping other women feel understood, supported, and empowered.

I specialize in working with women who are navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, burnout, life transitions, and the emotional demands of motherhood. I also have a special passion for supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, infertility, early pregnancy loss, and the unique challenges of parenting neurodivergent children. Whether you are struggling with overwhelm, feeling disconnected from yourself, or simply trying to navigate a difficult season, you do not have to do it alone.

My goal is to create a space where you can slow down, exhale, and feel genuinely seen without fear of judgment. Therapy is not about having all the answers. It is about having a safe place to explore your story, process difficult experiences, and discover new ways of moving forward with greater confidence and self compassion.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and individualized because I believe every woman's story is unique. I integrate evidence based approaches, including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to help clients understand themselves more deeply, heal from painful experiences, and create meaningful, lasting change. Rather than relying on a one size fits all approach, I tailor therapy to your individual needs while considering your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well being. For those who desire it, I also offer Christian faith integration as part of the counseling process.

My hope is that when you walk through the doors of Willow Haven Counseling Services, you find more than a therapy office. I hope you find a place where you can lay down what you've been carrying, reconnect with yourself, and discover that healing does not require perfection. It simply begins with taking the first step.