Awareness to Change Counseling Services
Our Story
Our Story
We’ve loved every minute of our journey...
We’ve loved every minute of our journey...
Christy Yerk-Smith, MA, NCC, LPC
Practice Owner
Christy Yerk-Smith, MA, NCC, LPC
Practice Owner
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Christy received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and her Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She has over 25 years of professional experience in teaching and counseling children, adolescents, and adults.
Her areas of expertise include the following: adolescent issues, personal growth, infertility issues, addictions issues including gambling, substance use and abuse, as well as codependency issues. Other specialties include child abuse, the effects of substance use and abuse on the family unit, the mind/body/stress connection and sexual abuse and trauma recovery, as well as mood disorders and LGBTQI issues. Additionally, she is skilled at providing supervision for licensure as a professional counselor in Pennsylvania. She is a member of the American Counseling Association, the National Board of Certified Counselors, and the Lehigh Valley Psychological and Counseling Association. She is a former board member of Project Child, VOA Children’s Center, and The PROGRAM for Women and Families, Inc.
Christy began her career as a junior high school English and Theatre teacher and has extensive theatre and dance experience within the Lehigh Valley. She has worked within the criminal justice system, at inpatient, outpatient, residential treatment and partial hospitalization facilities; managed care insurance offices, and Lehigh University’s Counseling Center as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. She has also served as the assistant director of the Counseling Center at DeSales University as well as an adjunct professor at DeSales University and Albright College. She is a part-time consultant for The Center for Humanistic Change and is currently operating a full-time private counseling and consulting practice in Allentown. She lives in Allentown with her husband, and two children (as well as her four-legged children, two dogs!). Her interests include history, reading, psychology topics, and being on the beach.
Heather Updegraff, B.S.
Counselor
Heather Updegraff, B.S.
Counselor
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Heather has clinical experience working with with issues surrounding low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, stress, bullying, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and eating disorders. She enjoys making the counseling process fun while creating a safe environment for her clients to grow and heal. Heather enjoys incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques into her sessions as well as humanistic approaches.
Born and raised in Macungie, Pennsylvania, Heather attended Desales University for her undergraduate degree. Years later, Heather returned to school at Messiah University's Clinical Mental Health graduate program.
Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family. She has two children that keep her very busy, but she enjoys the opportunity to spend time with them and watch them grow.
Christine Fellin Smith, MA, LPC, NCC, CCTP
Christine Fellin Smith, MA, LPC, NCC, CCTP
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Christine believes in focusing on the strengths an individual has and using them as a platform to improve and address their struggles. She offers a warm, inviting, and relaxed therapeutic environment and strongly believes that a positive client/counselor relationship is important to successful treatment. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of diagnoses and struggles including depression, anxiety, low self esteem, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, parenting skills, grief, Bipolar Disorder, anger management, PTSD, and more.
Benny
Benny
Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His
This is Benny, a Maltese-Yorkie! He is our practice "mascot" and loves to visit sometimes! He loves people and getting attention from anyone willing to pet him or rub his belly. Benny is a lover, not a fighter, so only kisses from this pup!
Benny will only be in the office with clients' comfort and approval.