About Christina Sullivan, LCSW
Ms. Sullivan provides individual therapy and coaching, and training and consultation,
in the community.
Christina Sullivan, MSW (Master in Social Work), LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), ADHD-CCSP (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Certified Clinical Services Specialist), Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional, earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of Maryland at College Park and a Master’s in Social Work degree from Barry University in Miami.
Although she has always been a therapist, Chrstina’s focus on children, teens and adults with neurological differences is a direct result of her experiences parenting her own neurodivergent child. Raising her son, diagnosed with, what was then referred to as, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (now Autism Spectrum Disorder) and then later as a teen with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, gave her a parent’s perspective on the supports and resources families needed but could not always find, and a personal belief in the potential of the children, teens, and adults living with these challenges. Her professional accomplishments over her twenty five year career have always been fueled by a heartfelt desire to help families affected by autism, ADHD, and related conditions; and her commitment to continue her work in support of the neurodivergent community is strong. Her neuro-affirmative approach is a natural outgrowth of this commitment and is what makes her programs unique and her support so impactful.
Memberships & Professional Experience
She is a member of the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) with over two decades of specialized experience working with children with social and developmental delays, including ADHD, Autism/Asperger’s, and similar conditions. She also treats children, teens and adults living with anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and behavioral disorders, and can help support youth dealing with school refusal and avoidance, loss or grief, and unresolved trauma. In addition, Christina and her staff welcome and provide services for LGBTQ youth.
Ms. Sullivan has served children in schools, hospitals, community mental health, and the foster care system who have struggled with mild to severe mental health and behavioral issues. She worked for Miami-Dade County Public Schools as a District Clinical Social Worker in Autism Programs. There, she facilitated training and consultation for District staff, school-based professionals, and parent support and education groups throughout the county.
Christina has continually added to the knowledge base gained during her initial education by seeking specialized training and additional certifications. She seeks to challenge and better herself in her personal pursuits as well, with personal accomplishments from completing marathons to holding a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and becoming a certified yoga teacher. As a clinician, she understands and believes in the power of yoga and mindfulness when it comes to improving mental health and regulating the central nervous system. As a therapeutic modality, she uses a combination of breath-work and poses to help clients improve coping with the uncertainty and discomfort that comes with issues such as anxiety, depression, grief and trauma.
Ms. Sullivan loves translating her knowledge into unique programs for neurodivergent youth and their families. She grew from supporting clients participating in summer camps to helping develop and implement specialized programs, including a surf camp for kids ages 8-14 with autism or other learning differences that continues to this day.
She went on to co-create the research-based B.R.I.D.G.E. (Brave, Reliable, Inclusive Doers who Guide by Example) curriculum, a peer mentorship and leadership program for implementation in after-school programs, schools, and camps to help students with learning and attention differences feel connection and belonging with their neurotypical peers in these community settings.
Founder of
Evolve Learning Community
As a result of her experiences both as a mother and a professional, in 2015 Ms. Sullivan co-founded Evolve Learning Community, a micro-school for neurodivergent learners in middle and high school, in central Broward where she is the Clinical Director.
The school’s mission is to provide students a compassionate and supportive learning environment that facilitates belonging and connection while reducing sensory overwhelm and anxiety. This progressive learning program supports neurodiverse students by providing them with a non-traditional educational setting where social emotional learning and Executive Functioning skills training are seamlessly integrated throughout the school day.
For those not able to enroll at Evolve, Ms. Sullivan provides individual and family therapy services, and works with public and private schools, providing classroom observations, consultations, training and support, and interventions. She developed and currently oversees all of the therapeutic group programming at Evolve including a research- and evidence-based intensive therapeutic skills summer camp for children ages 6-18 who have ADHD, ASD, or related conditions that impact social development.
In order to support the growth of knowledge and resources that are affirming to the neurodiverse community, Ms. Sullivan shares her skills widely, providing training for schools and parents and presenting at conferences, as well as training master’s level interns at Evolve Learning Community. She was the co-coordinator of North Broward CHADD, (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) for over two years.
Ms. Sullivan explained, “It is a dream come true to be able to support neurodivergent youth and their families with really well-informed programming and targeted resources that I know as a mom and clinician are so important to overall well-being and happiness”.
Ms. Sullivan believes the key to coping with life’s daily challenges lies in having a wellness foundation. She practices yoga, enjoys kickboxing, and weight training. She loves traveling with her son and friends and learning new things. Ms. Sullivan enjoys the Florida sunshine, walking at the beach, riding her bike, hiking, and spoiling her pets; Rodney, a chihuahua mix, Daisy, an American Staffordshire Terrier mix being trained as a therapy dog, and Sophie and Chloe, her two rescue cats.
Think we might be a good fit? Contact me for a free 20-minute phone consultation today to learn more about how we can help. Offering in-person, online therapy and phone calls in Florida.