Philosophy and Approach

I believe the counseling process is beneficial to a holistic and healthy life: emotionally, spiritually and physically. My approach to treatment is collaborative and I see it as a chance to create an opportunity for clients to see themselves as experts in their lives. I am passionate about helping others discover their potential, build increased self- awareness, and feel empowered to direct positive change in their lives. I use a strength-based perspective; building on the client’s skills and untapped potential, using a variety of theories and methods to best fit the client and their needs. While I use different methods with each person, I believe the most important element is the relationship between the client and counselor. I work with people of all ages and backgrounds, but especially love working with adolescents and young adults as they navigate through an impactful time of life.

I hold a graduate degree in counseling from George Fox University. In addition, I hold a Masters of Science in Special Education from Portland State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Studies from George Fox University. I have experience working with children, teens and families as a former middle/high school teacher and working with at risk teens at a residential center.

Philosophy and Approach

I believe that clients are the experts of their experiences and that I am a resource to help clients achieve their goals. I work collaboratively with my clients to create a safe and trusting environment that supports their discovery of internal strengths, hope, and resiliency. My work is focused on walking alongside individuals, couples, and families during the most challenging times in their lives and helping them to heal, resolve conflict, and recover from life’s challenges.

I work with survivors of trauma, and with PTSD, whether from a recent event or one from the past. Together we work to identify the impact of your experience and develop a plan for a happier, healthier future. I am honored to work with first responders who have been negatively impacted by their work.

As a former teacher, I enjoy helping families who are struggling to navigate the school system and to advocate for their child. I also work with anxiety, depression, and behavior issues within families. Many families have found counseling leads towards a more cooperative, loving, and gratifying atmosphere in their home.

I understand the courage it takes to reach out for help and to take the first step towards healing. I encourage you to call or email me so we can talk about whether my services are a good fit for your needs.

We all have the tendency to internalize painful life events. This can lead us to have feelings of anxiety, guilt, frustration, or shame. These painful feelings often cloud our view of our life, our relationships, and our future, greatly limiting our natural resilience and ability to handle life’s stresses.

The truth is, you are not alone. Through compassionate counseling, I help clients explore these roadblocks to free themselves from internal and external constraints so they may access their inner wisdom and live an authentic, rich, and peaceful life. My intention as a therapist is to provide support and guidance in a nurturing, safe environment with the process arising directly out of the client’s needs and unique life experiences.

My approach is Integrative. Focusing on the body-mind-spirit relationship, it recognizes the importance of spirituality to human existence, acknowledges and utilizes the power of both mind and body, and reaches beyond self and symptoms to connect individuals to a larger sense of themselves and to their communities.

I offer individuals/teens, couples, and families compassionate counseling integrating:

Integrative Body Psychotherapy (IBP)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)

Creative Process Work

Art Therapy

With over 25 years of experience providing assessment and mental health treatment services to children, families and individuals, Kristin utilizes a strength-based approach to build upon each individual’s unique assets within the therapeutic process. In order to affect change, Kristin believes in the power of tapping into one’s own positive attributes and building upon those strengths to attain personal goals and improve daily functioning.

Kristin uses a warm and affirming approach that validates and supports clients. This relationship is paramount in establishing trust and working together as a collaborative unit. The therapeutic relationship is a genuine partnership and clients will feel that they do not need to “go it alone”. Kristin has worked not only in private practice, but has worked in school settings and in-patient mental health settings. With this broad background of experience, Kristin is able to identify goals together with her client’s and create practical changes that greatly improve quality of life and relationships.

Kristin has Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark College, graduating in 1989. She became a licensed therapist in the state of Oregon in 1994. Kristin also supervises graduate students in the licensing process for the state of Oregon. Kristin’s licensing credentials require her to maintain best practices and on-going professional development, ensuring current and ethical practices are delivered.

Philosophy and Approach

I believe that every person desires a stronger, better, and healthier life and that strong connections in relationships are essential to this healthy life. I believe therapy is a place to experience, strengthen, and improve your relationship connections as you journey toward the life you desire. The relationship between client and counselor is a powerful connection that supports and encourages clients, and I am honored to be a part of each client’s journey. I take seriously the importance of building a trusting relationship together and to be a safe connection.

I accept clients wherever they are in their journey, providing support and encouragement as they determine the change they want in their life. I believe that change and growth are a natural part of a healthy, balanced life. I encourage clients to explore emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions as part of their process. I have a passion for helping women in their experiences and growth that drives my commitment to serve relationships and families.

My graduate degree in Marriage, Couples and Family Counseling was earned at George Fox University. I also hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Management and have a background in business.

I am available for couples, family, and individual counseling.

Availability: Saturdays and Sundays

We tend to think and hope that negative and unhelpful feelings and behaviors are going to go away on their own, and while some do, there are others that seem to linger and make living life more difficult. As a counselor who utilizes Emotion Focused and Attachment Therapy there is an opportunity to change unhelpful feelings into ones that empower and motivate you towards success and healing.

As your Therapist, I provide counseling that is holistic and tailored to your and your families needs. The counseling process will allow you and your child(ren) to learn how to make healthy connections with feelings, people, thoughts, memories and behaviors that have long been feared and avoided. With a passion for working with all people looking for help and healing, I strive to provide an atmosphere where everyone will feel welcomed, heard, encouraged and valued in each session. I look forward to meeting you.

Education and Passion:

I received my Master’s in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling from George Fox University and my Bachelors in Psychology, from Loyola Marymount University, CA. I have experience and passion in working with children, adolescents and their families, especially those facing the unique challenges of fostering and adopting children of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

I believe in a strengths-based approach to treatment, meaning I believe every person has the skills and capacity needed to make positive and lasting change in their life. By utilizing existing strengths and resources, and developing new coping mechanisms and thought processes, we work together to grow self-awareness and confidence. I believe the relationship between client and therapist is the most valuable tool in the therapeutic process. To promote an environment that will facilitate open and honest communication, I aim to exhibit acceptance, safety, and unconditional positive regard while still being direct.

I work with people of all ages and backgrounds with a focus on adolescents and teens. Childhood through young adulthood can be a very confusing and challenging time for many people. I am committed to helping clients build resiliency, self-esteem, academic success, and healthy emotional development. My objective is that each person will leave therapy with a “tool kit” of strategies they can use in their lives as well as a movement towards a more authentic self.
Because each client is unique, I employ different therapy modalities to tailor each individual therapeutic experience. In addition to talk therapy, I find immense value in the use of sand tray therapy as well as aspects of play and art therapy. I believe a multidimensional approach adds great depth to the therapeutic process. Expressive modalities can be particularly effective when dealing with issues that are difficult to verbalize.