LCSW, 11 years of experience
Frequently rebooked
My name is Kristina, my pronouns are she/her, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Texas. I received my Masters of Social Work from the University of Houston in 2013 and have practiced in a variety of settings. I help people of all ages learn what authenticity looks and feels like for them, and provide actionable skills to support their growth in that direction. Please contact me for accurate schedule availability.
Our first session together will be all about getting to know one another: I like to find out where you're from and who and what are important in your life. I will also answer any questions you have for me, and together we will discuss what kinds of things you'd like to work on in therapy, begin to identify behaviors you may like to change, and formulate a plan for our work together.
From questioning and coming out to navigating relationships to parenthood and beyond, I am bringing a lifetime of personal experience into our work together. I also have 20 years of professional experience working with people from a diverse array of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds across different contexts, including child protective services, HIV/AIDS case management, direct service for people with developmental disabilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and outpatient substance abuse treatment. All of these experiences, coupled with my caring nature and sense of humor, contribute to my ability to connect with a broad range of people.
I enjoy working with people of all ages who are exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. I feel privileged to be in a position to help people during these periods of growth when they don't know where else to turn or to whom they can ask difficult questions like "how do I know if I'm gay?" or "what does 'gender binary' mean?"
For 10 years, I have been using ACT to help my clients get a clear sense of their values and how to live in accordance with them. This involves applying mindfulness and acceptance skills to everyday life in an attempt to cultivate psychological flexibility, which leads to increased ability to handle experiences in life that are beyond our control.
I regularly teach DBT skills when working with clients who struggle with high anxiety, emotional regulation, and self-destructive behaviors, as they provide concrete solutions for self de-escalation. Together, we will identify triggers and warning signs, and I will help you learn when to employ the tools we discuss in session.
I completed EMDR training in 2016, and since that time I have used this method to help clients process and integrate past traumatic experiences.
At the core of gender-affirming therapy is an intentional creation of a safe space for processing and understanding the everyday challenges faced by people who are questioning or exploring their gender. I am honored to be a part of your gender journey.
I have been using motivational interviewing techniques throughout my entire career because they are helpful in identifying and resolving inner conflicts, building self-confidence, and increasing motivation to change behaviors that are negatively impacting my client's lives.
7 ratings with written reviews
June 2, 2025
Kristina is caring and thoughtful. She is great at perspective taking and helping navigate challenging situations. She has a calm demeanor brings an individualized approach to each session. I’ve made tremendous progress working with Kristina and highly recommend her.
May 9, 2025
My sessions with Kristina have changed my life. When I first started meeting with her a year ago I was battling daily panic attacks and contemplating suicide. Last night I had a traumatic experience and used the tools that I've learned in my sessions to help guide me through while keeping panic at bay, and it worked. Without Kristina's help I don't think I would have been able to get through last night on my own. She has helped me regain some control of my mind. I'm on my way to being me again.
March 13, 2025
Very experienced, empathetic, and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.