Hanne Christensen, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)

Quick Stats

Education Path: B.A. in Child Development, Clinical Psychology Master’s.
Trauma Expertise: Facilitates healing by guiding clients through story retelling, fostering peace.
Holistic Healing: Embraces Barn Life’s comprehensive approach, values nurturing community.
Beyond Barn: Enjoys family time, gardening, Harley riding, diverse hobbies, and exploring life.

On My Bucket List

Drive an earth mover
Visit Australia
Race my car on a track

What Led Me to Barn Life

I earned my B.A. in Child Development and Human Services from Cal State Fullerton and my Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University. I hope to become licensed at the end of 2023. I’ve worked with children, tweens, adults, and couples, and have led anger management groups for court-ordered adults and teens in addition to parenting groups for court-ordered adults. Trauma is my specialty, and I plan on becoming EMDR-certified in the near future.

My Role at Barn Life

I help clients experience empathy, support, understanding, and unconditional love, while encouraging them to look within to retell their story. These stories include everything from abuse, neglect, and abandonment. As clients retell their wounds in a nurturing environment, they have the opportunity to experience wholeness and internal peace – often for the first time in their lives.

What I Love Most About My Work at Barn Life?

I absolutely love that Barn Life attends to the body, mind, and soul. Humans are very complex beings and can not experience healing by only attending to the mind. Clients are able to experience love, nurturing, and compassion from the entire Barn Life community.

On My Bookshelf

“The Myth of Normal” by Dr. Gabor Mate
“Eastern Body Western Mind” by Anodea Judith

What You Might Find Me Doing Outside of Barn Life

I enjoy spending time with family and friends talking and pondering life. I also love spending time in my yard gardening and bird watching, riding my Harley, listening to live bands, reading, knitting, cross-stitching, scrapbooking, photography, and taking my dogs for long walks in the park.

Hear From Those We've Impacted

Barn Life is uniquely special. As someone who has had long stretches of sobriety with "traditional" communities and methods, Barn Life stepped in when I started struggling during the pandemic and said "traditional" methods failed to help.The staff here are exceptional. This is a truly subjective statement, but it is my honest opinion that the people from the owner (Hi Matt!) to EVERYONE else works there because they believe in the work and want to share the tools they found.Barn Life and their little sibling, Peer Mental Wellness were the launchpad from a shell of an existence to person with self-love/respect, and a life-mission of personal development.

Steven D.

Best for someone looking for spiritual healing in addition to their mental health healing.

Luka P.

Barn life is probably one of the most amazing facilities you could ever attend when it comes to mental illness. This was the first place that popped up when I was searching for help and I’m so thankful that it did. The environment is very therapeutic, the staff is awesome, and the group discussions and activities were so helpful in me understanding what I was experiencing. Do not hesitate to be a part of this place. It’s literally a game changer. I was only there for 6 weeks but I wished I stayed at least 6 months. Ever since returning home, I’ve been much happier and my perspective has changed dramatically. I’ve done things and participated in events at my college that I never thought I would be able to do. This place is truly amazing and I’m forever grateful that I found this place.

Ariana E.

Through trial and error of trying to stay sober this program is definitely the most caring and supporting of them all if anyone needs help and is willing to help themselves I suggest barnlife they will for a fact give you the push you need and the tools to keep you going

Mason T.

My daughter has been at Barn Life Recovery now for two months. It was my last resort to send her 9 hours away from me. She has been in drug and mental health rehabs in and out for two years. This was my last stitch effort to save my daughter and get her back to herself. Alyssa and I spoke multiple times before deciding. Their willingness to do everything for her and the different teams they have work with them is amazing. My daughter is happy again and clean and sober. She loves it there in their outpatient program. They restore your faith in humanity. They help restore someone who is broken in so many places to themselves. They have put the light back in my daughters eyes. They are committed to helping each person who truly wants the help. They assist in helping them get jobs and be responsible members of society. I recommend their program to anyone wanting to recover from drug, alcohol and mental health.Thank you to all the people at Barn Life who have made my daughter smile and bring the light back to her eyes. I am truly grateful.DawnaLee

DawnaLee W.

I am alumni from Zen Recovery Path / a great place , and live a happy healthy life ever since / great peaceful place to recover // Namaste

Michael M.