Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 50 ratings

Kristen O'Dwyer

LMSW-C, 10 years of experience

Warm
Solution oriented
Empowering

About me

Hi there, I'm Kristen! As an LCSW practicing in both Michigan and California, I have 11 years of experience helping women and young adults navigate anxiety, imposter syndrome, and unprocessed trauma before burnout takes over. I’m passionate about creating a space where you feel seen, supported, and empowered—whether you're managing high expectations, healing from past wounds, or struggling in your faith journey. I offer evidence-based therapies alongside nondenominational faith-based counseling for those who want to incorporate their Christian faith into their healing. I welcome and respect all belief systems, providing a compassionate, nonjudgmental space for growth and healing.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

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!

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

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.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I love working with individuals who pour their hearts into doing what's best for themselves and others, often finding themselves overwhelmed and burnt out in the process. These beautiful souls tend to be overthinkers and overuse logic. Many of my clients seek support when they're feeling stretched too thin, yearning for significant changes but feeling daunted by the process. They struggle with setting boundaries and often cope alone. Balancing their needs with others' is a constant challenge, and they could benefit greatly from tools to reconnect with their body, mind, and soul. I often witness these remarkable individuals resorting to self-soothing through overworking, substances, or ineffective coping mechanisms, as being still in their body can feel overwhelming. It's awesome to see the transformation when clients are provided with safe somatic tools to reconnect with their bodies, alongside practical skills to manage their relationships and life stressors.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Other specialties

I identify as

Serves ages

My treatment methods

Christian Counseling

Are you a young adult looking for a safe space to explore your spiritual journey without fear of judgment? Whether Christ is the center of your life or you're struggling with your faith, Christian counseling can offer a supportive place to grow and heal. I provide Christian counseling in a welcoming, non-denominational space where all faiths are respected. While I don’t offer religious advice, I’m here to walk alongside you—whether you want to integrate your beliefs into therapy or are wrestling with questions about faith. You’ll find a safe, loving space where you’re met with kindness, understanding, and zero judgment paired with evidenced based therapies to help you grow. No matter where you are on your journey, you are seen, heard, and supported.

Dialectical Behavior (DBT)

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. 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. In sessions we explore hands on experiential body based techniques to help reduce stress, trauma symptoms and anxiety in the body.

Location

Virtual
Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 50 ratings

5 ratings with written reviews

July 8, 2025

I am in my 3rd session or so with Kristen. I came with a undefined sense of anxiety and overwhelm and knowing that i wanted some guidance to move forward and build a healthy support structure, but unsure what that might mean. she has listened to my concerns and blockers and been forward looking for solutions. she has also been incredibly gentle and understanding and openminded. i feel heard when i talk to her.

Verified client, age 45-54

Review shared after session 3 with Kristen

May 6, 2025

Kristen make me feel so seen and heard. Even with the complexities of navigating and articulating my own emotions, I always know that Kristen is kindly noting trends and validating/reaffirming my feelings. It is rare for someone to authentically hear and understand you as you are describing and processing trauma, and Kristen has exceeded my expectations in doing so. Kristen is the best therapist I have ever had and am so beyond thankful to have found her!

Verified client, age 18-24

Review shared after session 11 with Kristen

May 6, 2025

Kristen is an exceptional therapist—wise, deeply knowledgeable, and grounded in a calm, supportive presence. She brings a rare balance of compassion and directness, asking the hard questions in a way that feels both safe and collaborative. Her approach is always centered on your growth and well-being, and you can truly feel that your best interests are at the heart of every session. I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance and the clarity she’s helped me uncover.

Verified client, age 45-54

Review shared after session 5 with Kristen