Cristina McEwen, LCSW
Founder of Healing and Hope Collective

Cristina is a community-focused psychotherapist, educator, and Healing and Hope Collective founder. With extensive experience in trauma-informed therapy, social work, and community engagement, Cristina is driven by a commitment to equity, supporting historically underrepresented groups, including neurodiverse individuals, queer and trans communities, and those from low-income backgrounds. Her approach emphasizes resilience, compassion, and an awareness of systemic oppression's impact on personal and collective experiences.

Cristina’s therapeutic work is grounded in Relational-Cultural Theory, Narrative Therapy, and anti-oppressive, trauma-informed practices, such as EMDR, IFS, DBT, and EFT. Her “being the therapy” philosophy prioritizes authenticity, presence, and mutual connection, helping clients release shame and recognize their strengths within larger social systems. As an educator at Indiana University’s School of Social Work, Cristina brings her values of beauty, justice, and compassion into her teaching and practice.

The Healing and Hope Collective embodies Cristina’s vision of connection and mutual aid with services through Bridges, a program for young adults, and Currents, a holistic approach to individual and family therapy. Guided by a commitment to social justice, Cristina and her team aim to make therapeutic support accessible, nurturing spaces where healing is both an individual journey and a collective endeavor.