Meet Dr. Christine Warren

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Christine Warren. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr. Christine, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.

This is such a great question! I’d like to share a piece of my story to highlight what burnout looks like for me and how I’ve learned to navigate it.

When first deciding to be a psychologist and starting graduate school, burnout felt like a familiar frenemy. I saw burnout all around me as well, on the faces of my peers. It was present so often that I figured out a way to tolerate its existence and savor the days it wasn’t present. The burnout made a ton of sense – I worked multiple jobs, slept minimally, and took extra training opportunities to get ahead. Professors and supervisors would encourage self-care while also drinking endless coffee, arriving late to meetings, and responding to emails at 2:00am. Burnout seemed to be part of the culture of graduate school.

It wasn’t until my last year of graduate school, having finished classes and starting a full-time internship within the Veterans Affairs health care system, that I realized I didn’t have to accept being constantly on the verge of burnout. I found a schedule that worked for me and focused on my clinical interests, prioritized exercise and sleep, communicated periods of stress to loved ones and supervisors, and enjoyed my weekends.

There have definitely been plenty of other moments of burnout between graduate school and now. However, my example best illustrates when I let burnout take over and felt I had little control over its coming and going. Over time, I’ve learned my common causes of burnout, recognize warning signs, listen to body cues, and course-correct sooner. For example, I’m thoughtful about how many clients I see consecutively and the time I start/stop my work day. I’m aware that a headache, impatience, and fragmented sleep are all signs that something needs to change. I also know that practicing self-care (e.g. spending time with friends, practicing yoga, drinking ample water) helps build resilience and prevent burnout.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a licensed clinical psychologist. I hold licenses in CA and TX, and also have authority to practice virtually in 40+ states through an interstate agreement titled PSYPACT. My career allows me to wear many hats (which I love!), including being a therapist, adjunct professor, clinical supervisor, and consultant.

I am incredibly passionate about providing evidence-based treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of my clients. I am extensively trained in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused treatments. My clinical interests include post-traumatic stress, borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, and relational issues. I also have a special passion for working with parents, helping them develop the skills needed to confidently face the challenges of raising their children.

Within the last year, I started an independent practice, Coast to Coast CBT. This exciting change has given me more freedom to focus on what I love and create a schedule that works best for me. I know many people struggle with job satisfaction, so I feel incredibly lucky to enjoy what I do. What I value most is the ongoing opportunity for self-growth. I’m always learning and evolving because the field is continuously advancing. As a therapist, it is a profound privilege to support individuals through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. I am continually inspired by their courage and resilience.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I believe the three qualities that have gotten me to where I am today are confidence, passion, and a deep sense of curiosity.

I’m the first in my family to earn a doctorate. Having confidence and believing I’m capable to tackle difficult challenges has been essential to my success. I’d also add that even when I don’t feel fully confident, I try to carry myself as though I am. My advice to others would be to actively challenge the self-doubting voice in your mind and do the thing you’re scared of. Every time you show yourself that you’re capable, your fear loses its power.

Along with confidence, having intrinsic motivation has been crucial. Being passionate about my work as a psychologist helps me navigate challenges, remain optimistic, and feel more fulfilled. My suggestion to readers here would be to find your “why.” If you can identify your purpose in your journey, it may be easier to propel yourself forward. Without drive, there’s a much greater propensity for burnout.

Lastly, my lifelong desire for learning keeps me energized. My curiosity is what led me to the field and it is what will likely prohibit me from ever fully retiring (ha!). I also believe curiosity makes me a better therapist – it helps me actively listen, show genuine interest, and work to truly understand another’s perspective. With curiosity, I believe I help clients feel heard and safe to share without being judged. To build this skill, I would encourage people to be open to new information, ask questions without having an answer in mind, and radically accept that you can’t be right all the time.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

With your earlier question about burnout on the brain, I think one of the biggest areas of growth has been being more proactive to avoid burnout. My partner and I recently moved from California to Texas. As a Los Angeles native, moving away from most of my loved ones and familiar methods of self-care was definitely an adjustment. Close in time to this big move, I was also establishing my new business (Coast to Coast CBT).

To avoid burnout, I decided I needed to be intentional about building a support system in Dallas, developing an effective routine, setting firm work limits, and prioritizing self-care. Almost a year later, I’m proud of myself for cultivating new friendships, finding a yoga studio, making time to explore my new home state, and plugging into local professional networks.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.coasttocoastcbt.com/

Image Credits

Valentine Legras Photography