Christie Bienemann

Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #140712

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. 

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

  • I believe in 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. I work to understand your needs, goals, challenges, strengths, and preferences to create an actionable plan tailored specifically for YOU and your needs

  • I value authenticity, connection, agency, accountability and feedback

  • I will provide the space and tools to support you. Our relationship is a partnership; we will hold each other accountable to do the work

  • My commitment to your growth does not end when our sessions end

  • I value a culturally sensitive approach and am LGBTQ+ and gender affirming. What I don’t know, I dedicate time to learn how to better support and understand my clients