Dr. Christa A. Benton
LPC, NCC, CCTP, 300 CYT
Integrative Holistic Psychotherapist
Dr. C's Bio
Dr. C is the founder of iMatter Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC. Her work is shaped by a blend of evidence based training, holistic and somatic insight, and a deep respect for the complexity of the human experience. At the center of her approach is a commitment to meeting people where they are and supporting them as they navigate the realities of their lives with greater awareness, understanding, and care for themselves.
Her professional experience spans school based therapeutic services, intensive in-home support, crisis stabilization, and a variety of outpatient therapy settings. Dr. C has worked with individuals navigating traumatic experiences, developmental and intellectual disabilities, identity concerns, unresolved grief, anxiety, life transitions, adulthood, and parenting.
Her approach to therapy is integrative and person centered, recognizing that healing is not confined to the mind alone. Dr. C works with the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, drawing from trauma informed care, somatic awareness, and holistic practices alongside traditional psychotherapy.
What guides her work is a belief that therapy is not a place where people are fixed, but a space where they are supported as they come to understand themselves more deeply. Her style is warm, grounded, and collaborative, creating an environment where individuals can explore their experiences, reconnect with themselves, and move forward in ways that feel meaningful and sustainable.
Education
- Capella University, PhD Psychology
- South University, MA Clinical Mental Health Professional Counseling
Credentials, Certifications, and Specialized Training
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Virginia
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
- 300 Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT)
- Certified Holistic Therapist
- Trauma Informed Practitioner Certification
- Mindfulness Informed Practitioner Certification
- Sound Healing Certification
- Brainspotting: Phase I, II, III, Kids and Adolescents, and Masterclass Certifications
- Immigration Evaluations Training
More About Dr. C
My journey...
I’m Dr. C, and your presence here is genuinely appreciated. My path to becoming an Integrative Holistic Psychotherapist wasn’t linear, but it was always guided by curiosity about people and the experiences that shape our lives.
Growing up in a small Southern town where hard work was valued more than emotional conversation, I developed a natural empathy and tendency to ask deeper questions. Although I initially pursued studies in Architecture and Philosophy, I often found myself in the role of listener, peacemaker, and confidant. Eventually, I realized psychology was the work I was meant to do.
I went on to earn a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and later a doctorate in Psychology. Along the way, my personal experiences with somatic and holistic practices deepened my understanding of the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Today, I integrate these approaches with evidence based therapies to support healing on multiple levels.
I see myself as human first and therapist second. My role is not to fix you, but to walk alongside you, creating space for you to release what you’ve been carrying, restore what feels lost, and resource yourself in ways that support your continued growth.
Are you quietly exhausted...
These are the words I've heard repeatedly from many indivduals who reach out to me, feeling drained, frustrated, and desperate for change in their lives.
They describe the exhaustion, feeling uncared for, not just by society but even within their inner circles. They're tired of healthcare professionals downplaying their stress symptoms and the relentless pressure to be strong for everyone. But when they seek support, it often feels like silence.
About Therapy...
Your Participation in Therapy
In therapy, the space is for YOU and your needs. Too often, clients I serve tell me that nobody in their world stops to ask how they're doing or offers support. That's where I step in. I provide the support you've longed for, right from the start. I understand the weight of feeling like you must carry the world alone, without support.
What to Expect in the Therapy Space
You will find a space where you can simply be. Therapy here is not about fixing you or rushing toward solutions. It is about having a place where you are supported, where you can become more aware of yourself, and where your experiences are honored without pressure or judgment.
This space is not only for moments of crisis or emergency. It is also for the everyday realities of being human. On the hard days, it can be a place to settle, restore, and soften the weight you’ve been carrying. On the steadier days, it can be a place for reflection, planning, and maintaining the progress you are making in your life.
You are met where you are. Our time together is shaped by what you need in that moment, whether that means talking things through, exploring patterns and perspectives, or simply having a quiet space to breathe. At times, you may be guided through grounding or meditation practices to help you restore and step away from the noise of everything around you.
Sharing your experiences can help lighten emotional burdens and deepen your understanding of yourself. Through this process, your lived experiences are honored and your identity is strengthened. You are reminded that you are not the problem, you are someone learning, evolving, and creating new ways of moving through your life.
This process does not happen quickly. It requires time, presence, and a willingness to engage with yourself in new ways. Over time, it can become a supportive and grounding part of your routine. Therapy is not a brief check in like a visit to the doctor, it is a process of awareness, growth, and evolution.
What You Can Expect From Me
I will listen to your story while centering and honoring your unique experiences. Your lived reality is not something that needs to be explained or justified, it is the foundation of the work we do together. I am committed to understanding and supporting you as you are, recognizing that being human can often feel complex and, at times, lonely.
Through our work together, you will begin to see yourself with greater grace and self-compassion. As we explore your experiences, we will also create space to attune to your body, learning to notice what it is holding, how it responds, and what it may be asking for. In doing so, you will begin shifting your focus from what you cannot change to what you can, building the confidence to create meaningful change in your life right where you are. Even the smallest steps forward matter.
Over time, the burdens placed upon you by society may begin to feel lighter. As you practice kindness toward yourself and deepen your awareness of both mind and body, you may find new energy and clarity emerging to support the way you move through life.
You were never meant to carry the weight of the world alone. You do not have to navigate the difficult parts of life by yourself. This is a space where you can be supported, restore a deeper connection with yourself, and grow into the fullest version of who you are, starting right where you are.