Christine Filonow, LCSW received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Washington University in 2004 and her undergraduate degree in Neurobiology from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. Christine has always been incredibly interested in the brain, mind and body, as well as how we adapt to our ever changing and challenging social environment. Providing effective psychotherapy and informative, supportive counseling is her goal for every client. After more than 20 years in the field, Christine is an experienced mental health provider who is comfortable addressing a wide range of issues and situations. Christine started her career working with children living in residential care and homeless women and children. She has since worked in many aspects of the field, including community mental health, grant management, research and evaluation, non-profit program management and individual psychotherapy.
Services
Having a strong, trusting relationship with your counselor is the most important element to successful therapy. I encourage you to find the fit that is right for you. I am happy to talk with you briefly over the phone if you would like to ask some questions before you book a session.
Sessions: Counseling sessions are typically 50 minutes to an hour and are held in my office in Creve Coeur.
In some circumstances, I am able to do sessions through telehealth (via web chat system). If you are concerned about the drive, traffic or scheduling issues of your sessions, please talk to me about whether telehealth online sessions would be right for you. I use a HIPAA compliant platform to conduct telehealth sessions. During Covid-19 precautions, telehealth sessions are strongly encouraged. On a case by case basis, I will see individuals in the office if they feel telehealth is not the best option for them, due to privacy concerns, technology issues, or their level of comfort.
Fees: I accept most commercial United Health Care (UHC) plans, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, Aetna and Cigna. I am also a credentialed provider with Medicare and Home State Health (Ambetter). My current rate is $115 for a 60 minute session and $95 for 45 min. If you choose to use insurance, please be aware that you may have a co-pay or a deductible. Co-pays are typically due at the time of service, and any remaining balance not covered by insurance may also be your responsibility. If you would like, I can help you check insurance benefits. For those with other insurances, who do not have insurance, or who want to opt out of using their insurance, I do have a sliding scale and can work with you to find an amount that fits your income bracket and financial situation. Please call or email and I can talk with you about my sliding scale policy.
Treatment Options: I encourage anyone who is considering therapy to come try it out. Starting with a therapist does not mean a long term commitment is required. Many individuals feel they need short term help, and only 1-3 sessions are needed, while others discover they prefer ongoing support. During the first couple sessions, we will determine together what your goals are for counseling and what you can expect.
My treatment modalities are tailored to fit each specific person. I adapt my methods to who you are and what you need. My training is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Somatic Therapies, as well as EMDR. Basically this means that I address both the mind (your thinking and appraisals of situations and events) and the body (how your nervous systems is adjusting to and coping with stress). I also use a healthy dose of supportive problem solving, meaning I am there to help give you perspective and think through the right course of action for whatever problem you may have in front of you. All my counseling comes from a core of genuine empathy and understanding. If you have any questions about my approach, feel free to contact me.