Christel was born and raised in the Philippines. She moved to the United States in 2010. In 2015, she graduated with her Master's in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology from Barry University in Miami, Florida where she had direct experience working with collegiate level student athletes.
She briefly interned in Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy shortly after her graduation where she assisted junior golfers perform better in golf by teaching them how to use and implement mental skills. Christel stayed for a few months in the Philippines where she was able to train and play with The Philippine National Women's Ice Hockey team. She then represented the Philippines in international hockey competitions from years 2017–2019.
In 2017, Christel started her second master's in clinical mental health counseling at Rollins College, Winter Park Florida. Before graduation, she interned for Rollins CAPS where she provided individual therapy and crisis services to Rollins College students. Christel is now a LMHC practicing counseling in Florida where she specializes in topics such as mindfulness based stress reduction, anxiety, PTSD, perfectionism, Asian-American experiences, athletic experiences/performance and grief.
She is trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy, CBT, DBT and Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1.
