Here to provide the care you deserve.
I’m Kristi.
As a therapist I value authenticity and human-ness, so I’ll start with a glimpse of my human-ness: I was born and raised in the PNW, I enjoy doing puzzles and watching women’s basketball (go Storm!), have a dog and a few too many houseplants, use she/her pronouns, and love the mini chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s. I became a therapist, in part, as a result of my own transformative experience with therapy. I know how vulnerable and scary it can feel to initiate therapy, and my goal is to create a warm and inviting space to make therapy more approachable.
As a white, able-bodied, queer, straight-sized, neurodivergent, cis woman, I work to hold awareness for how my identities, especially my unearned privilege, show up in the therapeutic relationship. I strive to create an egalitarian relationship in therapy, but I know that my position as therapist and my privileged identities can inherently create an imbalance of power. This dynamic is one that I will try to dismantle as you and I work together to empower you in all areas of life, including in therapy.
My approach to therapy is rooted in person-centered and attachment theory. This means that I believe the foundation of therapy is the therapeutic relationship, with an emphasis on trust, unconditional care, and consistent compassion. This also means I have an inherent trust in your ability to heal. I utilize techniques from various theories including Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and other strengths and skills-based approaches. Therapy is individualized to meet your unique needs.
As your therapist, I will invite and value your feedback throughout our work together. I believe you are the expert on your life, and trust in your ability to know what you need. I am able to apply my education, experience, and expertise to my work with clients, but I never presume to know what is best for a client. Rather, I work collaboratively with you, and empower you to become attuned to and be able to communicate your needs, values, desires, and more. I believe long-term, sustainable changes are made through you finding your own power, identifying what you want and how to achieve it, and gaining trust in yourself to have your own back.
Education and Experience
BA in Psychology, minor in Sport Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University Seattle
WA state Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) #MC61438005
Trauma Counseling Certificate from Antioch University Seattle
Experience in a residential eating disorder treatment center
Training and experience at ADHD specialty clinic