MEET CHRISTIE BIENEMANN, Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #140712

I believe therapy should actually do something in your life.

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I like to think of myself as a Silicon Valley survivor.

I spent the first 15 years of my career in high-pressure roles at startups, including Meta and Pinterest, so I know exactly what it’s like to experience imposter syndrome, burnout, and go through career transitions. In fact, I got my M.A. in Counseling Psychology while also working for Meta and raising 3 kids under 6—so I also know how demanding it is to be high-functioning 24/7. 

While I no longer share offices with Silicon Valley’s finest and fiercest, I do share a deep understanding of the mental fortitude it takes to thrive (and sometimes even survive) there. That’s exactly why I decided to pursue a career in therapy—to support executives, up-and-comers, and everyone in between on their paths to personal success. 

My strengths as an MFT lie in both my entrepreneurial and corporate background and my clinical training in integrative, action-oriented therapy. But my leading edge lies in my personal-yet-universal experiences. To name (more than) a few…

  • As a (recovering) perfectionist, I understand the pressure to ace everything no matter where it lies on the priority list. 

  • I know what it’s like to feel “off,” like when your mental health is not where you want it to be.

  • I understand that having family baggage impacts your current relationships.

  • I can relate to the struggles of navigating years of infertility and IVF. 

  • I feel the effects of parenting on your mental and physical health.

  • I have experienced anxiety due to all of the above (and more!).

I. Get. It. And I am here to help you get through it. 

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We’re a good fit if …

  • You’re action-oriented and willing to put in the work.

  • You want a balance of accountability and warmth; someone who will hold you to your goals and hold space for the messy, human parts along the way.

  • You’re open to reflection, trying new strategies, and sticking with the process even when it feels uncomfortable.

We may not be a fit if…

  • You’re looking for a place to simply vent without taking steps toward growth or change.

  • You’re resistant to accountability, feedback, or trying new approaches.

  • You expect results without showing up and doing your part between sessions.

My Background & Training

    • MA in Counseling Psychology, University of San Francisco

    • BA in Business Marketing, Santa Clara University
      BA in Psychology, Santa Clara University

    • 15+ years in Silicon Valley tech and startups, including Meta, Pinterest, Wish, and Cisco (pre-IPO and scaling stages)

    • Leadership in scaling teams, organizational change, and operational excellence

    • Deep experience navigating growth, resilience, and transitions — both professionally and as a parent of three (including twins)

    • Personal perspective in infertility and parenting challenges, informing an empathetic, real-world approach to therapy and coaching

    • Trauma-informed therapy approaches

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    • Somatic and Family Systems modalities

    • Leadership development & organizational change management

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My Approach

First and foremost, I focus on building a genuine and trusting relationship where you feel safe, seen and heard.

I take the time to get to know you, all of you! This may look like exploring your childhood, and how your environment and experiences have played a role in where you are today.

Here’s what I believe in about therapy:

  • Discovering the root cause of your pain rather than focusing only on addressing the symptoms

  • There’s no one-size-fits-all approach; your journey is unique and how we work together should be as well.

  • Authenticity, connection, agency, accountability and feedback are paramount

  • Our relationship is a partnership; we will hold each other accountable to do the work

And please know this: my commitment to your growth does not end when our sessions end. I keep a small caseload in order to serve my clients well—whether that’s a podcast I came across or a connection I have—because I want this experience to be about far more than 50 minutes of your week.