Who we are
At Ascension, we combine compassion with practical, evidence-based therapy to help clients create meaningful and lasting change. Using approaches such as CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed therapies, we help individuals and couples better understand their patterns, strengthen emotional resilience, improve communication, and develop healthier ways of navigating stress, relationships, anxiety, and life’s challenges.
Our work is collaborative, personalized, and goal-oriented. We take the time to understand your unique experiences and tailor therapy to support the growth, clarity, confidence, and connection you want in your everyday life.
Chrissy McKell
Cristie Briggs
If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or caught in repeating patterns, you deserve gentle, effective support that truly helps—support that honors your experiences and helps you feel safer, steadier, and more confident over time. With Chrissy, you’ll find a warm, welcoming space where you can slow down, explore what’s fueling the stress, and begin to untangle the patterns that keep pulling you back.
Chrissy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Bachelor’s in Family Services from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Global Social Work from the University of Utah. She takes a holistic, trauma-informed approach, integrating somatic-based work to help clients reconnect with their bodies and better understand how life experiences are held physically, emotionally, and neurologically. She has a deep respect for the complex layers that come with difficult or complicated backgrounds and creates a space where clients can safely explore and process those experiences at their own pace.
Her clinical experience spans a variety of mental health settings, including treatment centers, hospitals, private practice, and resettlement programs. This breadth allows her to work with diverse populations and a wide range of concerns, always prioritizing safety, trust, and each client’s unique healing process.
Outside of the office, Chrissy enjoys running, being in the sun, traveling with her husband, and finding meaningful ways to be involved in her community.
Cristie is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, reconnect with their inner strength, and rediscover a sense of meaning and fulfillment. She brings a calm, grounded presence to her work, creating a space where clients feel genuinely seen, supported, and understood. With a compassionate, client-centered approach, Cristie guides individuals through life transitions, emotional struggles, and personal growth with both empathy and intention.
Her professional experience spans private practice and residential treatment settings, where she has worked with individuals facing complex mental health and substance use challenges. Cristie also facilitates reset retreats for active-duty Navy SEALs and their families—an experience that reflects her ability to support clients through high levels of stress, trauma, and relational strain. Her work is informed by evidence-based practices and a deep respect for each client’s unique path toward healing.
At the heart of Cristie’s approach is the belief that lasting change happens when people feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to grow, and empowered enough to move forward. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside her clients as they create meaningful and lasting transformation in their lives.
Outside of her clinical work, Cristie values time with her husband and four children and is often found on the tennis court as both a competitive player and coach.
Cristie is a Clinical Social Worker who provides therapy for individuals and couples. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Arizona State University.