- Family of origin issues
- Addictions and recovery
- CBT and DBT approaches
About Sarai
Sarai "Christi" Webb-Vanderpoorten is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in Alabama with 30 years of experience. She works with people facing depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship struggles, and family concerns. Her stated focus areas include parenting, intimacy-related issues, grief, eating concerns, stress, and family of origin issues. She also notes work with blended family issues, codependency, communication problems, and substance-related problems.
Christi describes a practical, direct style in sessions. She looks at a person from physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual angles. Conversations often include straightforward questions and honest feedback to help someone clarify what they need and want. She emphasizes finding purpose and rebuilding confidence as steps toward change.
Her background includes work in treatment centers and inpatient settings as well as outpatient private practice. Christi earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and holds LMFT licensure in Alabama and Mississippi. She has worked with people on addiction, trauma and abuse, and mood concerns since 1993.
Christi draws on several clinical approaches to guide sessions. She uses client-centered methods to listen and reflect, cognitive behavioral ideas to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and dialectical behavior skills to build coping tools. Mindfulness and emotionally focused techniques are also part of her approach when helpful.
Outside the office she cites family life and faith as influences on her work. She asks practical questions about daily routines, physical self-care, and spiritual resources when those factors matter to a client’s goals. The result is a frank, multi-part perspective aimed at helping people make real changes in how they live and relate.
How therapeutic approaches shape online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting. The therapist offers nonjudgmental attention and helps people voice their concerns so they can figure out what matters to them. This approach can help with relationship patterns and family of origin issues.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sessions include identifying unhelpful thinking and practicing different responses. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches practical skills for managing emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness. It emphasizes concrete tools such as distress tolerance and emotion regulation that people can use day to day.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or has not helped before. Together they decide which methods to emphasize and adjust the plan as needs change.
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, for example by removing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins between obligations, or reducing the need to be on camera for every meeting. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises like CBT worksheets, DBT skill coaching, and client-centered conversations to the online setting to help clients apply new skills in everyday situations.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Mississippi, Alabama
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family concerns, grief, eating issues, parenting strain, and related topics such as codependency and body image.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Christi uses a direct and practical approach. She combines listening with clear feedback and helps clients identify steps toward change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has been working as a therapist since 1993, bringing about 30 years of clinical experience in inpatient and outpatient settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT and holds licensure in Alabama and Mississippi. Her practice is located in Alabama.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.