Thank you for taking the time to explore more about me and my approach to supporting clients on their journey towards healing and transformation. Many individuals I've had the privilege to work with have sought to unravel the complexities of anxiety, depression, frustration, anger, or the feeling of being "stuck" in a seemingly insurmountable place despite their best efforts to break free.

Whether you're new to therapy or have prior experience, I'm here to guide you through an experiential, holistic, engaging, and relational therapeutic approach. My commitment is to ensure your experience with me is culturally minded, identity-affirming, and trauma-informed.

Informed by cutting-edge neuroscience research, I understand that effective therapy goes beyond mere conversation. I integrate a spectrum of evidence-based and innovative trauma-informed therapy models to invite a comprehensive, whole-being experience—incorporating your mind, body, emotions, and behaviors. This approach enhances your access to insight, fosters stabilization, and promotes deep healing.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree with Distinction in Applied Psychology from New York University and earned my Master’s Degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at City University of New York. Beyond the therapeutic space, I find joy in outdoor adventures, exploring new trails, seeking out cozy coffee shop nooks, and indulging in the art of birdwatching—all balanced with a mindful appreciation for small moments spent with my family.

I invite you to reach out for a free 20-minute consultation on Zoom. I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you and support you on your path to well-being.

Warm regards,

Christopher J Russo, LCSW

Post-Graduate Training & Experience

  • Experiential Assistant to Transformative Couples Therapy: A 2-Day Beginner and Intermediate Workshop (2025). David Mars, PhD. Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia Association of Experiential Psychotherapists. 11 CE.

  • 16-Session AEDP and the AEDP Research Project: Bridging the Clinician-Researcher Divide (Shigeru Iwakabe, PhD). The ABC’s of AEDP: Acronyms to Get You Started or Keep You on Track with the Practice of AEDP (Benjamin Lipton, LCSW). Feeling in Synch: Core State Accelerates Integration in Patients with Dissociative Parts (Kari Gleiser, PhD & Jason Trowbridge, MFT). How to use Deliberate Practice in your AEDP Clinical Practice both as a Therapist and as a Supervisor (Natasha Prenn, LCSW). Navigating Differences in Social Experiences in the Therapeutic Dyad Using the Triangle of Social Experience (Ben Medley, LCSW). Neuroscience, Critical Periods, Psychedelics Research (Gul Dolen, PhD). Pressing One’s Edges from Safety: Working in Core State to Expand Relational Receptive Affective Capacity (Sigal Bahat, MA). Tastes of Tailoring Treatment: Relational Work with Avoidant, Ambivalent/Resistant, and Disorganized Patterns of Attachment (Karen Pando-Mars, MFT). Tell the Deep I’m New: Freedom and Transformation in Connection (Diana Fosha, PhD). Using the Triangle of Social Experience. When Empathy and Authenticity Collide in AEDP (Eileen Russell, PhD). When Therapy Gets Stuck: Addressing Therapeutic Impasses in AEDP Treatment (Jerry Lamagna, LCSW; 2025). New York City, NY. AEDP Institute. 11 CE.

  • Chair of Technology and Communication at Transformative Couples Therapy Institute (2024, 2025).

  • Clinical Researcher on Transformative Couples Therapy Research Study (2024, 2025). Transformative Couples Therapy Institute, James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University. 32 CE.

  • Experiential Assistant to Transformative Couples Therapy Experiential Skills Training (2024). Transformative Couples Therapy Institute. 22 CE.

  • Experiential Assistant to Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Immersion (2024). Diana Fosha, PhD. AEDP Institute.

  • EMDR & Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma: Somatic Techniques to Decrease Defensiveness and Facilitate Trauma Processing (2024). Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCCTP-II, E-RYT. PESI.

  • Breakthrough Results with Difficult Men: Terry Real on Working with Narcissists, Bullies, Boy-Men and Avoidants. (2024). Terry Real, LICSW. Psychotherapy Networker Master Class, PESI.

  • Couples Therapy: Billing, Documentation, and Ethical Dilemmas (2024). Barbara Griswold, LMFT. CAMFT. 2.5 CE.

  • Transformative Couples Therapy, Core Training (2021, 2022, 2023). David Mars, PhD. Transformative Couples Therapy Institute.

  • Navigating AEDP’s Experiential-Attachment Work in the Context of Trauma, Dissociation and Multiplicity: AEDP Advanced Skills Module (2023). Kari Gleiser, PhD. AEDP Institute.

  • Experiential Assistant to Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Module 1 of Essential Skills I (2023). Richard Harrison, PhD. AEDP Institute.

  • Experiential Assistant to Immediate/Advance Transformative Couples Therapy for Hong Kong (2022). Center for Transformative Therapy. 22 CE.

  • Cleaning House: Understanding Intensive EMDR Therapy, Seminar (2022). Adam O’Brien, LMHC, CASAC. Institute for Creative Mindfulness.

  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Essential Skills I (2022). Karen Pando-Mars, MFT, Kate Halliday, LCSW, & Dale Trimble, MA. AEDP Institute.

  • Healing Relational Trauma: Sensitivity and Blind Spots Across Patterns of Attachment: AEDP Seminar (2021). Karen Pando-Mars, PhD. AEDP Institute.

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT), Core Skills (2021). George Faller, LMFT, Ryan Rana, PhD, LMFT, LPC, & James Hawkins, PhD, LPC. Greenwich Center for Hope & Renewal.

  • EMDR, Level I & II (2020). Gina Colleli, LCSW. Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy.

  • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Immersion (2020). Jennifer Edlin, MFT & Karen Kranz, PhD. AEDP Institute.

  • Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation: Polyvagal Theory in Therapy (2020). Deb Dana, LCSW. Rhythm of Regulation,

  • Theraplay, Level I and Marshack Interaction Method (2019). Mandy Jones, LCSW, RPT, JD & Andrea Bushala, LCSW, RPT. The Theraplay Institute.

  • Transformative Couples Therapy, Experiential Skills (2019). David Mars, PhD & Karen Pando-Mars, MFT. Cape Cod Institute.

  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Suicidality & Depression (2018). Judith Beck, PhD & Robert Hinderman, PhD. Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy.