Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Young.
Hi Cristina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I graduated from Barnard college with a double major in English and Education, and with a NY Certification to teach. I spent the following seven years teaching in the D.C. area, and Hawaii, mostly middle and high school English. I always perked up when the parents of my students opened up to me about family life, parenting, marriage, eventually leading me to study family systems, parenting, and psychology while obtaining my Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern California. Fast forward ten years and three babies, I returned to the school environment as an admissions officer and school counselor in Greenwich, CT. Finally, I launched my private practice to support adults who are parenting teenagers. For the past 14 years, I’ve been working one-on-one with adult clients and running weekly parenting groups and seminars for adults who are navigating teenagers. I am currently enrolled in another master’s program at the University of Pennsylvania, studying positive psychology as I prepare to shift my focus to supporting women’s developmental shift from intensive parenting to personal reinvention in their middle years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve had many struggles along the way. The stigma around mental health has always been complicated in my work, but has finally lightened up a bit post-Covid. Parenting can become a political issue quickly if you’re not mindful of the landmines when facilitating a group of people in conversation about what matters most to them, their kids. I’ve also taught myself everything I ever needed to know about running my own business. I fault all these fancy degrees I have for never offering the practical basics of how to run a small business successfully for female business owners. I used to rely on YouTube and Google searches for quick answers pertaining to navigating property taxes or securing permits for exterior signage, but now Claude and Chat GTP are on each shoulder, providing me with all the answers I need. Finally, parenting is not sexy or shiny. Sometimes it is difficult to rally people to attend events I host, but they usually leave with so much gratitude.
As you know, we’re big fans of Cristina Young LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I designed my Miami office to be a warm and inviting space that welcomes conversation amongst groups of people. I selected the blue and green tones, the comfy couches, and the artwork with intention, knowing that clients would come to this space for support and camaraderie. Natural light fills my space in Mimo, and the little dog park right out my front door offers lush green color all day, along with many furry friends who entertain my Golden Retriever who often accompanies me to work.
I support adults who are navigating the teenage years by working with them one-on-one in private sessions, by offering weekly parenting groups, and by hosting parenting seminars. My goal is to fill people’s parenting tool belt so they feel equipped to handle every parenting situation with calm confidence. The focus of our work together is always on nurturing the relationship between parent and child because I believe that kids are more eager to cooperate when they feel heard and respected. We also practice boundary setting, securing your authentic voice, and clarifying your why so that parents feel empowered to say no when they mean no–whether to their kids, teachers, in-laws, coaches, or other adults. Parents are the experts on their kids, but they need reminders and concrete strategies sometimes. My clients thank me for the clear scripts and tools I provide them. I do dress rehearsals with parents, I remind them they have permission to press pause before they respond to a situation, and I teach them how to discuss difficult topics.
In addition to working directly with clients and groups, I host a fun podcast called “How Are You Arriving?” where my guests and I discuss a wide range of topics pertaining to thriving in middle adulthood: aging parents, career assessment, finding your why, supporting kids who are adults now, and much more. My guests tell me how much they enjoy being one-on-one in my podcast studio, doing deep dives with me on topics that really matter to them. My listeners tell me that they feel like they’re having coffee with a best friend while they enjoy the episodes.
Most exciting of all is my next chapter……I will graduate from Penn in May, 2026 with a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology and my capstone project will be about how to help women find a solid sense of mattering as they shift out of full-time parenting and into the next chapters of their life. I’m looking forward to hosting groups, seminars, and retreats with this population. I like the idea of shining the spotlight on women who’ve launched their kids and are ready to launch themselves now.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the sunshine, the rainbows, and the many dolphins I see living and walking on the Venetians. The food culture is fun and frenzied, and never-ending. My husband and I have lived all over the place in our 33 year marriage, but I’ve never experienced such a foodie town before. I also cherish the mix of people here—how ordinary it is to hear many languages spoken throughout the day. It’s also very fun to live in a place that offers non-stop festivals, concerts, shows, conferences, symposiums. I could learn something new every day of the year here in Miami simply by opting into all of the invitations I receive. This culture is so rich, textured, varied, and expanding on an hourly basis. I appreciate how vibrant Miami feels—like a younger city that is still unfolding.
My next answer is so predictable: the traffic is awful. There’s often no rhyme or reason to the traffic, which is frustrating. I am thrilled to drive a safe car, which is up high because I also don’t like how quickly Miami floods due to one bad rainstorm. I had a tiny car early on and quickly switched back to a bigger car after praying my way through too many flooded streets.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cristinayoung.com/
- Instagram: @cmytherapy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-young-01490447/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@howareyouarriving?si=Q-zWf2XBQeuZxnoz
