Ruberti Counseling Services
You deserve to feel at home in your body.
Therapy for LGBTQ professionals, teens, transgender individuals, and their partners. In person in Society Hill, Philadelphia and online across PA.
Does this sound like you?
You want to feel comfortable in your own skin.
But instead, you’re exhausted from the constant self-doubt. Even when you’re surrounded by friends and family, something still feels off—like you don’t fully belong. You’ve become the reliable caretaker, always calm and in control, but your needs often come last. You’re thriving in your career, but your relationships feel chaotic and unfulfilling. And deep down, you never feel like you’re good enough.
Maybe you are…
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You’re feeling depleted after years of counting calories and skipping meals, only to realize that no number on the scale will ever feel good enough. You keep turning down dinner invitations, only to spend the night scrolling your phone, feeling left out and sidelined in your own life.
You’re at happy hour and instead of joining in on the conversation, you’re stuck in your head because you can’t stop thinking about food.
You rip through outfit after outfit, and pick yourself apart before you walk out the door. You find yourself staring at the mirror while gripping your stomach and thighs, wishing your body was different.
Or maybe you avoid mirrors altogether because you’d rather pretend that your body doesn’t exist.
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When you go about your day, something feels off.
It feels like you’re going through the motions and that you’re a stranger in your own life.
The only thing that brings you comfort is fantasizing about being a different gender. But the late-night google searches about whether or not you’re trans leave you feeling confused and anxious.
Perhaps you’re ready to come out at work and are fearful that it will make you a target, or worse, you’ll get fired.
Maybe you’re just tired.
No matter where you go, you constantly have to look over your shoulder because the world is getting more and more unsafe for queer and trans people. You just want to exist in peace.
LGBTQ & Gender-Affirming Care
I provide specialized counseling for individuals across the gender spectrum, including those questioning their identity, actively transitioning, or supporting loved ones through gender journeys. My practice offers:
Individual support for gender exploration without pressure to make immediate decisions
Transition navigation addressing emotional, social, and relational aspects beyond medical interventions
Partner support for those whose loved ones are transitioning, providing space to process your own emotions and needs
Parent guidance for families with trans teens, helping you balance support with your own complex feelings
This therapeutic approach recognizes that gender journeys are deeply personal and unique, requiring mental health care that honors your individual pace and path.
Learn More About LGBTQ & Transgender Care -
Did your teen recently come out as queer or trans? Maybe your teen is trying new pronouns, dating someone of the same gender, or wants to come out at school.
While you want your kid to be happy, you’re not sure what this means for their future. You wonder if this is the ordinary self-expression that comes with adolescence, or if it’s something more.
The thought of having to tell their grandparents, soccer coach, and school teachers feels overwhelming.
Perhaps your teen has been out for awhile, but is interested in pursuing hormone therapy. You don’t know where to begin, and are hesitant to move forward out of fear your kid will be bullied.
Maybe your teen spends a lot of time in their room, or doesn’t seem to have any friends. You’re losing sleep because you just want your kid to be okay.
Parenting a queer or trans kid was not in the parenting books and you want your kid to thrive. You and your teen deserve support and you don’t have to navigate this alone
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Maybe you overthink every interaction and constantly worry about what other people think of you. You walk on eggshells around people, and your stomach is in knots whenever you tell someone ‘no’.
So you stuff your feelings down to keep the peace.
You might be the go-to friend for support, but it feels like no one is there for you.
Perhaps you downplay your needs because you don’t want to be a burden to others. Or maybe it’s hard to know what your needs are at all because you’ve spent most of your life putting everyone else first.
You find yourself trying to numb the pain, like drinking wine after work or scrolling your phone on the couch. No matter how much you try to feel better, you wind up feeling worse.
Even when you’re surrounded by friends, you walk away feeling empty and alone.
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I help people overcome intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions using the research backed method, Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP).
Treatment will involve completing exposure exercises while also practicing resisting your compulsions. We’ll help you face your fears and learn how to handle your emotions so you can feel more in control of your life and less afraid of the future.
hi I’m christine (she/her)
I help LGBTQ folks build the confidence to live life on their own terms.
As a queer licensed therapist in Philadelphia, I love working with career-driven professionals, creatives, and teens who want to stop just existing in survival-mode and start living life with more freedom and clarity.
Whether you're a queer, non-binary person struggling with disordered eating, an entrepreneur dealing with imposter syndrome, or a trans person navigating medical systems, I get you. I’m here to help.
Together, we’ll unpack the beliefs that make you question your worth, so you can finally feel like you.
My approach to therapy is rooted in helping you understand how past experiences and societal pressures impact how you feel in your body, in your relationships, and with yourself.
Instead of just talking about change, we’ll use creative and holistic approaches to explore the patterns that keep you from living the life you want. The goal isn’t to dwell in the past, but to understand it so you can have more freedom in the present
Over time, anxiety and food issues won’t take up so much space, and you’ll have the confidence to advocate for your needs, and the courage to define what you want out of life.
Therapy Services
Art Therapy
A creative approach to healing that helps you explore your feelings in ways beyond talk therapy.
IFS
Experiential therapy that helps you find balance in your inner world and build trust with your true self.
Trauma therapy
Heal emotional wounds so you can feel less stuck in the past, and be able live a more fulfilling life.
Eating disorder therapy
Find peace with food and build self- acceptance with the help of a trained therapist you can trust.
Psychodynamic therapy
Understand your unconscious mind so you can break life-long patterns and feel more present in your relationships.
ERP therapy
Evidenced based therapy for OCD to help you break the cycle of fear and feel like yourself again.
Specialized therapy in society hill, philadelphia and pa
Support for Partners and Spouses of Transgender Individuals
As a queer woman married to a trans woman, I understand the joys and challenges of being in a relationship with a transitioning partner. It’s your journey too, and you deserve to be seen and supported. Whether you got together after your partner transitioned, or your partner just came out, I’m here for you.
Eating Disorder Treatment for LGBTQ Individuals
As a therapist in Philadelphia with over 15 years in practice, I understand the unique intersection of eating disorders and LGBTQ identity. Traditional treatment often fails to address how gender dysphoria, minority stress, and heteronormative recovery narratives impact your relationship with food and body. My advanced training in both eating disorder recovery and gender-affirming care allows me to provide mental health support that acknowledges how gender and body image overlap.
Through our work together, we'll explore how societal expectations, family dynamics, and internalized messages about identity affect your eating patterns and body image. Using Internal Family Systems and Art Therapy, we'll understand the protective functions these behaviors serve while developing healthier coping mechanisms that align with your authentic self rather than conforming to mainstream standards.
The process
Reach out
Schedule a free 20 minute phone consultation by booking directly through my website. We'll briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and how my approach might support your goals. If it feels like a good fit, we’ll schedule the first appointment.
I believe the first few therapy sessions serve as a way to see if we’re a good fit, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident in our work together.
Get Support
Join me each week to explore your relationship with food, build self worth, and define what recovery looks like for you.
We’ll use creative and experiential approaches to understand the root of your issues and bring unconscious patterns into awareness.
Together, we’ll develop the tools you need to manage daily stress outside of the therapy room, and cultivate self-acceptance.
Take Back Your Life
You'll have healthier, more fulfilling relationships and you'll be ready to face life’s challenges without relying on habits that no longer serve you. You’ll understand yourself better, and feel more in control of your life.
You don’t have to keep proving your worth.
It’s time to feel good enough as you are & start living on your own terms.
Supporting Your Mental Health Journey
Success in therapy requires active participation and commitment to the process. Research shows that when you consistently attend sessions you’ll experience better outcomes. I'll support your journey by:
Tailoring treatment plans to your unique needs and goals
Providing consistent, reliable support through life transitions
Offering practical tools for managing daily stress and improving well-being
Adjusting our approach based on your feedback and evolving needs
Helping you build broader support networks within Philadelphia's LGBTQ community
Whether you're addressing depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, or navigating complex life transitions, therapy provides structured support for creating meaningful change. Together, we'll work toward building a fulfilling life that aligns with your authentic self while developing resilience for future challenges.
Why Choose My Practice for Mental Health Support
Philadelphia offers many therapists, but few combine specialized expertise in LGBTQ mental health, eating disorders, and trauma with a genuinely caring, relational approach. My unique qualifications include:
Advanced training in eating disorder treatment and gender-affirming care
Personal investment in the LGBTQ community through lived experience
Integration of creative and experiential modalities beyond traditional talk therapy
Understanding of how multiple identities and mental health challenges intersect
Commitment to providing culturally competent, affirming care
My Center City location provides convenient access for clients throughout Philadelphia, PA, with both in-person therapy and online therapy options ensuring consistent support regardless of your circumstances. Virtual counseling maintains the same quality of care as in-person sessions, offering flexibility for busy schedules or when physical presence isn't possible.
Begin Your Healing Journey Today
Taking the first step toward mental health support requires courage, especially when past experiences may have left you feeling misunderstood or marginalized. In my practice, your full identity is welcomed, your struggles are validated, and your capacity for growth is honored.
You deserve support from a therapist who genuinely cares about your well-being and provides professional expertise tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're ready to address life-long patterns, navigate current life transitions, or simply need someone who understands your unique experience, I'm here to support your journey.
Your story matters. Your mental health deserves attention. Your authentic self is worth celebrating. Through compassionate, professional counseling that honors all aspects of who you are, you can find healing, develop effective strategies for managing life's challenges, and create the meaningful, fulfilling life you deserve.
Contact me today to schedule your free 20-minute consultation and take the first step toward comprehensive mental health care in Philadelphia, PA. Visit my website to learn more about my therapeutic approach and how we might work together toward your healing and growth.
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