About Me
Welcome!
Hello! I’m Kristin and I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington state. I am also a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) in Washington. I am not a magical guru or an authority on life. I’m simply a regular human being just like you that has also gone through the rigors of life.
My Story
Through my own battle with life-long anxiety, relationship troubles, disordered eating, and agonizing loneliness, I know how easy it is to lose yourself in the depths of despair. I know what it feels like to get lost in negative thought cycles, self-defeating behavior patterns, and intense feelings of overwhelm and hopelessness. I also know the beauty of asking for help. I would not be here without the support, skills, and insights I’ve received from others in and out of the therapy space. With their guidance (and an awful lot of hard work from me!) I can say that today I’m able to live a connected, fulfilling, joyful life, and handle life’s hardships more effectively. This is what I want to offer to you!
Beyond Therapy
I am a Seattle transplant from the northeast. I love spending time with my dog and buddy, Harry. He’s the cutest in my opinion, and therapy dog certified through Therapy Dogs International (TDI).
I love to travel and will take any opportunity to immerse myself in another culture. In my free time I like to read and watch movies, I’m an indoor plant enthusiast, and foodie at heart (after watching way too many seasons of Top Chef). I can get stuck down a YouTube rabbit hole regarding anything skincare and makeup, I’m a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan (sorry Seahawks fans), and love enjoying the beautiful outdoors in and around Seattle.
Training & Experience
I attended undergrad at SUNY Oneonta in Oneonta, NY and received a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts in 2003.
I attended graduate school at Holy Family University located in Philadelphia, PA and Newtown, PA and graduated with a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology in 2011.
I am licensed in Washington as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) (#LH61094358).
I also hold a certification in Washington as a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) (#CP60982408).
I am licensed in Pennsylvania as a Professional Counselor (LPC) (#PC010895).
I am certified as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) in Pennsylvania (#10080).
I am an out-of-state- telehealth provider in Florida (#TPMC926).
Before starting my private practice most of my work has been counseling folks struggling with addictions, eating disorders, relationship issues, anxiety, and trauma.
My Values
In therapy we spend a good deal of time exploring your unique values to provide a compass to guide us towards what a rich and meaningful life is for you- how you want to show up in the world, what qualities you want to bring to your life, who and what is most important to you, and what you want to stand for.
Therapy is a space that requires trust and vulnerability. You share the deepest, most personal information about yourself, your feelings, and your life experiences. It would make sense that you might want to know a little bit about who you’re opening up to. I invite you to get to know a little bit more about me: what I value, what I believe in, and what I stand for.
Integrity is one of my most important values. To me, this means treating other people with courtesy and respect, but also moves beyond treatment of other human beings to my own self-care, the treatment of animals, and my impact on the planet. A favorite Brené Brown quote of mine is her definition of integrity: "It's choosing courage over comfort; choosing what's right over what's fun, fast, or easy; and practicing your values, not just professing your values."
I believe all people are inherently good and deserving of empathy and compassion. We’ve all had different life experiences, at times excruciatingly painful ones, and sometimes these cause us to make poor choices about how we behave. At the core I believe we are all worthy, despite what our pain has caused us to do.
I believe in curiosity and learning. I pride myself on being a life-long learner. I will never claim to know it all and I’m often humbled by how much I don’t know. Learning and curiosity take several forms for me. A few of these are self-knowledge, travel and adventure, and overall curiosity about human nature.
Psychiatrist Phil Stutz said, “There are three aspects of reality that no one can avoid: pain, uncertainty, and constant work”. I believe the sooner we can accept this, the sooner we are on the path to freedom.
I believe we all have a unique contribution to the world and that this is expressed through whatever avenues we find our meaning and purpose.
I believe in the necessity of quiet, simplicity, and solitude. In his book, Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport said, “Solitude is a subjective state in which your mind is free from input from other minds.” I think quiet, simplicity, and solitude are necessary to reconnect to our true Selves in a world that is very noisy.
I believe in the healing power of meaningful connection. This encompasses vulnerability, kindness, and care towards others, even when it’s hard. I have witnessed the power of meaningful connection time and time again in my career and it never ceases to amaze me how one deep, meaningful relationship can change a life.
Not only do I believe in humor, I need humor! Mark Twain said, “Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing.” Pablo Neruda said “Laughter is the language of the soul”. Yes and yes! There have been few times when I’ve felt more connected to someone, hopeful when there was only despair, and relief when I was overwhelmed, than when I had a deep belly laugh. Humor is magical.
I view personal values like a recipe- a cup of integrity, a tablespoon of compassion, a dash of curiosity, and a pinch of humor. Each person’s unique recipe is what makes you authentically you. This list is certainly not my values and beliefs in their entirety, but a few key ingredients. I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my values recipe and what makes me authentically me!
“You are not a mess. You’re a deeply feeling person in a messy world.”
- Glennon Doyle
Let's Work Together
Let's Work Together
Let’s Get Started
If you’re ready to get started click the button below and fill out the online form. For more information about what therapy will look like click here.