Hi there, I'm Kristen! As an LCSW practicing in both Michigan and California, I have 10 years of experience working in hospital settings and private practice therapy. My passion is truly to provide support to high-achieving millennials and Gen Z adults facing challenges like imposter syndrome, anxiety, and unprocessed trauma before they get to a place of full burnout. I also love supporting clients who are working through relationship stress and trying to understand and stabilize their attachment styles.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
When establishing my practice, I was driven by the desire to integrate insights gleaned from previous experiences. Many clients express frustration with traditional talk therapy that lacks a clear plan or focus. Recognizing the importance of your time, energy, and resources, our initial session is dedicated to compassionately exploring your goals and needs. From there, I develop a personalized treatment plan, and we regularly touch base on the tools we are aiming to provide you with. Each session incorporates a mix of hands-on nervous system regulating techniques, skill-building activities, and processing. Additionally, I provide resources and feedback between sessions so you are supported in between appointments!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Over the past decade, I've come to deeply appreciate the wisdom behind the saying 'the more you learn, the less you know.' As a therapist, my greatest strength lies in recognizing that we're both individuals on a journey to explore what brings fulfillment to your life. I offer compassion without judgment, refraining from imposing my personal opinions. Instead, I empower you to utilize skills and tools to make decisions aligned with your best interests. I understand that not every session is about change; it's about accepting who you are and what you want, while creating a nurturing environment to shape your life according to your desires. My greatest asset is truly the ability to model to you what it looks like to accept you without judgement, while also helping you to make meaningful changes in your life.
About Kristen O'Dwyer
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts cash
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
With postgraduate training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Gottman methods, I'm dedicated to the idea that true healing starts from within. These evidence-based therapies aren't just techniques; they're powerful tools to fast-track your journey to wellness. My approach blends skill-based therapies, processing techniques, and body-centered modalities to empower you in daily life, navigate emotions, and keep your nervous system in balance. Additionally, I provide faith-based counseling that offers an exploratory space that is nonjudgmental, compassionate, and welcoming to all faiths. I typically utilize these methods for supporting clients with trauma, relationship stress, anxiety and life transitions.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT provides practical skills for a balanced and fulfilling life. Its four components—mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness—help manage emotions, handle challenges, improve relationships, and stay present. Mastering these skills can make life feel more stable and meaningful.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
We all have many parts, and IFS helps us to understand and embrace them. By nurturing self-esteem, fostering self-integration, and guiding trauma healing, it creates a supportive space for exploring and integrating these aspects of ourselves. Through this process, we cultivate greater self-awareness, inner harmony, and resilience.
Gottman method
Gottman is a great evidenced based therapy for couples struggling with relationship stress, intimacy, repair after infidelity & communication. It helps to provide you with evidenced based skill to help you be more effective in building a stronger and happier relationship with your significant other. Gottman tools can also be helpful for individual therapy to aid with processing relationship stress and exploring needs in relationships.
Somatic
Somatic experiencing aims to help regulate the nervous system to help you heal and move through traumatic experiences.