Ginkgo Leaf is still responding to the emergency in Asheville, NC. We will be resuming business operations as of October 7. If you are in crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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If you have been charged in error during this time for a visit that did not occur, you will be refunded or this will be offered as a credit to your account when we regain Internet access.
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The start date for the RISE program has been changed to October 21, 2024.
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We are thinking of you all. Stay safe.
-The Ginkgo Leaf team
Dr. Christen Mullane
I am a psychologist, writer, and human who cares about making healthcare healing.
My Story
I remember being present in the emergency room when a woman lost her husband to a heart attack. I remember the young man who died of a gunshot wound, and the physician who had to bring the news to his family that he was gone. I remember the Veteran with cancer who refused to stop hiking independently in the woods, the mother caregiving for her son with spina bifida, and the nurse struggling to care for his patients as he navigated a divorce.
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I have had the unique experience of working in diverse healthcare settings in different parts of the United States. I have worked in rural, remote primary care clinics in Tennessee and California, and inner city hospitals in Pennsylvania. I have been present for patients in nursing homes and sprawling healthcare systems in central Texas, and worked closely alongside physicians in primary care, palliative care, and cancer clinics in Oregon.
These experiences have shaped me, and led me to deeply value listening and presence.
My Background
I obtained my PhD through the University of Tennessee, where I assisted with research aimed at finding effective treatments for patients with co-occurring cancer and depression. My dissertation focused on helping individuals navigate body image and weight concerns, and during my training, I contributed to research projects at the Center for Obesity Research and Education in Philadelphia, PA.
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I have been engaged in independent practice as a psychologist since 2012. Throughout my career, I have been deeply engaged in learning about relationships between the mind, the body, and trauma. I have particular expertise in working with clients who have experienced medical trauma, who are adjusting to chronic and/or new onset medical illnesses, or who are caring for individuals struggling with aging and illness.
My Approach
My patients find me to be genuine, compassionate, and warm. I care strongly for those who work with me. I am persistent, curious, and dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing space for growth. We are definitely allowed to laugh in sessions, and to approach the hard stuff at a pace that makes sense for your body, mind and heart.
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I utilize evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as well as mindfulness and awareness building strategies, in my work. I assist clients in reflecting on their values, thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns in the interest of acceptance and change. I regularly review available clinical research to inform my practice. I value diverse viewpoints and experiences, actively work to increase my own cultural competence, and welcome any and all to my practice.
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I am licensed via PSYPACT to practice in multiple states. Please click here to see if your state is supported.
Texas License 36795 (Click here to verify)
North Carolina License 6280 (Click here to verify)
PSYPACT Mobility Credential 9228 (Click here to verify)
Ginkgo Leaf Health Services
The ginkgo tree is known as a living fossil, and the leaves of this plant have medicinal properties for both heart and brain.
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The GLHS logo shows a ginkgo leaf in yellow, which echoes the shape of a brain and brain stem.
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The white space forms the pages of a book, emphasizing commitment to ongoing learning and evidence-based practice.
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Like the ginkgo tree, humans are survivors. We develop wisdom through working with emotions and intellect, heart and brain. By pairing new knowledge with embodied wisdom, we can find a path from surviving, through coping, to thriving.