Kristen Noel
I earned my Master of Social Work in 2016 and have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2021. My experience spans nearly two decades in behavioral health, beginning in addiction treatment and expanding into individual and group therapy, trauma, and complex mental health concerns. I’m deeply curious about people, their stories, the patterns they’ve developed, and how their experiences have shaped the way they see themselves and the world. My style is warm, conversational, and direct. I bring compassion and humor into the room, but I’m also comfortable asking hard questions and challenging patterns when needed.
First session
In our first session, I want to get a sense of who you are, not just what brought you to therapy. We’ll talk about what’s happening in your life now, what feels most important, and what you would like to be different. You don’t need to prepare for our session or know where to begin. Just show up as you are. I’ll help guide the conversation, and your story can unfold naturally over time, at a pace that feels comfortable to you.
Strengths
You can expect me to be warm, genuine, curious, and engaged. I’ll meet you where you are without judgment, while also helping you notice patterns that may be keeping you stuck. I believe therapy can include both compassion and challenge. Together, we’ll explore where patterns come from, build practical skills, and work toward changes that feel meaningful and sustainable in your life.
Ideal clients
“Why do I keep doing this when I know I don’t want this?” If you’ve asked yourself this question, we may work well together. Maybe you keep choosing similar partners, people-please even when you’re resentful, react strongly to certain situations, struggle to set boundaries, or return to ways of coping that no longer serve you. You may understand the pattern intellectually and still find yourself repeating it. I enjoy helping clients get curious about what’s underneath these patterns and begin connecting the pieces. We may explore childhood experiences, relationships, trauma, and the beliefs you developed about yourself along the way. I also incorporate psychoeducation because understanding why we think, feel, and respond the way we do can be an important part of creating change. I also work with people in recovery who have found that community and self-help support are valuable but don’t address everything. Our work isn’t about judging the pattern. It’s about understanding what purpose it has served, deciding what you want now, and building different ways of responding.
Treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT to help you understand your emotions, get through difficult moments without making things worse, communicate what you need, set boundaries, and learn how to respond rather than automatically react.
Brainspotting
I use Brainspotting as a way of slowing things down and mindfully noticing what comes up in your thoughts, emotions, and body. Sometimes we don’t need to talk our way through everything. Instead, we can create space to notice what’s happening, stay curious, and see where the process takes us.
Trauma Informed Care
I believe many of the ways we cope, protect ourselves, and connect with others make more sense when we understand where they came from. Rather than judging those responses, we’ll get curious about what they may have helped you through and whether they’re still working for you today. We’ll explore your experiences at a pace that feels manageable to you.
Integrative
There isn’t one approach that works for everyone. I draw from different types of therapy based on who you are, what you’re experiencing, and what seems most helpful. Sometimes we may focus on understanding where something comes from, while other times we’ll focus on practical skills, emotions, relationships, or what you’re noticing in your body. Our work can change as your needs change.
Location
Virtual sessions