Christy L. Parisi, B.S. | Clinical Mental Health Counseling Candidate

Tucson, Arizona 

📞 520.309.8833 

✉️ christy@olivebranchcounselingaz.com

🌐 christylparisi-eportfolio.com


PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Counselor-in-training currently pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University and completing supervised clinical training at Olive Branch Counseling in Tucson, Arizona. I provide counseling services for children, adolescents, and adults using evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and play-based interventions. My work emphasizes emotional safety, collaboration, and practical skill development to support meaningful and sustainable change. I am committed to ethical, culturally responsive counseling practice and continued professional development as I grow into my role as a clinical mental health counselor.

COUNSELING PHILOSOPHY

I believe people are not meant to be fixed but cared for. My counseling philosophy centers on the idea that healing occurs within supportive relationships where individuals feel genuinely heard, respected, and understood. I strive to create a therapeutic environment where clients can explore their experiences without judgment while developing insight and skills for meaningful change. Through empathy, curiosity, and collaboration, I support clients in understanding their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so they can move toward greater resilience, self-awareness, and well-being.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

My counseling approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Person-Centered Therapy. CBT provides structured tools that help clients understand the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while developing effective coping strategies. Person-Centered principles guide my emphasis on empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, which strengthen the therapeutic relationship. When working with children and adolescents, I incorporate play-based techniques and DBT-informed emotional regulation skills to support developmentally appropriate expression and growth.


CLINICAL EXPERIENCE | Olive Branch Counseling | Tucson, Arizona

Grand Canyon University Practicum  |  February 2026 – May 2026

  • Provide supervised individual counseling services in an outpatient clinical setting

  • Conduct intake interviews and biopsychosocial assessments

  • Develop collaborative treatment plans addressing emotional and behavioral concerns

  • Utilize CBT, person-centered approaches, and play-based interventions

  • Maintain professional documentation including progress notes and treatment plans

  • Participate in individual and group supervision to support ethical clinical practice

Olive Branch Counseling | Internship I  |  May 2026 – August 2026

  • Provide counseling services under licensed clinical supervision

  • Support children and adolescents through developmentally appropriate interventions

  • Teach coping strategies related to anxiety and emotional regulation

  • Apply CBT techniques to help clients identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns

  • Maintain accurate clinical documentation and treatment plan updates

Olive Branch Counseling | Internship II  |  August 2026 – December 2026

  • Continue providing supervised counseling services in a community counseling practice

  • Conduct case conceptualizations integrating theory, developmental factors, and culture

  • Utilize CBT, DBT-informed skills, and person-centered approaches to support treatment goals

  • Conduct risk assessment and safety planning when clinically appropriate

  • Strengthen competencies in ethical decision-making and treatment planning


POPULATION SERVED | Ages 5+ - Adults & Couples.

CLINICAL SKILLS

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Person-Centered Therapy
Play-Based Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills
Emotional Regulation Training
Biopsychosocial Assessment
Treatment Planning
Case Conceptualization
Risk Assessment
Clinical Documentation

EDUCATION

Master of Science – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Grand Canyon University | December 2026

Bachelor of Science – Education
Northern Arizona University   |   2021

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Trauma-Informed Counseling
Cultural Competency in Mental Health Practice
Ethical Counseling Practice (ACA Code of Ethics)

Informed Consent
Evidence-Based Anxiety and Emotional Regulation Interventions

AutPlay Therapy