Hi, I’m Kristen.
A therapist should know therapy from both sides.
I became a therapist for two main reasons. First, my beloved grandmother, who was a Jungian Psychologist, introduced me to depth psychology, dream work, and attachment theory when I was 15 years old. She provided me with a map to self discovery that I haven’t put down since.
Second, I have been a therapy client off and on since I was ten years old. My family history was fraught with disconnection, addiction, and various trauma cycles. Over the years my therapists have supported my ability to gain insight as well as build tools to create a life grounded in compassion, forgiveness, joy, spontaneity, and healthy adaptability.
I practice what I preach.
Background
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Modern Sex Therapy Institute, USA
Couples and Sex Therapy Certificate (Current Enrollment)
California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA
Master of Arts in Integral Counseling Psychology (December 2015)
Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Minor in Health Promotion (December 2011)
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Certified Focusing Professional: The International Focusing Institute (2023)
Felt Sense Polyvagal Model: A Certificate for Treating Trauma and Addiction (2023)
Bewegung Art Shüle für Tanz, Improvisation und Performance (2023)
Birth Doula - Cornerstone (2014)
Abortion Doula - Bay Area Doula Project (2013)
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Bonita House Inc. Residential Treatment Program
Program Director (August 2019 – January 2021)
Admission Manager (Intake Coordinator) (April 2018 – August 2019)
Residential Day Treatment Counselor (August 2017-April 2018)
Seeds of Awareness, Fiddle Heads (April 2016 – August 2016)
Church Street Integral Counseling Center – San Francisco, CA (2013-2015)
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I spent seven years facilitating groups for adults and children. Including:
Hearing Voices
Managing Emotions
WRAP Wellness Recovery Action Plan
Relapse Prevention
Healthy Relationships
Community Meetings
Clinical Meetings
Staff Meetings
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UC Berkeley, Guest Speaker, Reproduction in Modern Society, Spring 2019
Spirit Weavers Gathering, Facilitator, Post-Abortion Healing Workshop, Summer 2019
Spirit Weavers Gathering, Facilitator, Post-Abortion Healing Workshop Summer 2018
UC Berkeley, Guest Speaker, Reproduction in Modern Society, Fall 2018
UC Berkeley, Guest Speaker, Reproduction in Modern Society, Fall 2017
Bay Area Doula Project, Guest Speaker, Deconstructing Multiple Abortion Stigma, Fall 2017
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A desire to bridge polarities and explore nuance, storytelling, story listening, meaning making, ritual, contemplation on forgiveness, truth, self-love, initiation, self-preservation, dreams, being in-between, and fairytales.
I have over half a decade of experience working with adults in crisis and recovery. I spent two years as the Program Director at a Residential Treatment Program in Berkeley, California. I worked with folks who had been incarcerated, hospitalized, and marginalized. I led a team of twenty clinicians and a program with fifteen residents. I'm proficient in conflict resolution, group facilitation, clinical and crisis assessment.
Services
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Individual Therapy
Process and practice to move your life away from a circular battle with the inner-critic, self-doubt, comparison, and imposter syndrome.
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Abortion Affirming Care
My intention in our work together is for you to feel safe to share and be with your honest and true experience tied to one or multiple abortions.
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Couples Therapy
Exploring what nourishing and safe connection looks, feels, and sounds like. Creating space and safety for truth-telling, intimacy building, and repair for couples in crisis.