Kryss Pfeiffer
Life can get messy, relationships can be complicated, and sometimes our own thoughts can be our biggest obstacle. You don't have to have it all together to start therapy, and you certainly don't have to pretend you're okay. I'm Krystal, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with nearly 20 years of experience in mental health. I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, OCD, grief, relationship difficulties, and self-esteem. I'm down to earth, open-minded, and straightforward. I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable being yourself, even on your worst days. My approach is compassionate, honest, and practical. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I don't believe therapy is one-size-fits-all, and I'm not the kind of therapist who just nods and listens. I'll ask questions, help you connect the dots, challenge unhelpful patterns, and give you tools you can actually use. Sometimes we'll have tough conversations, sometimes we'll laugh, but we'll always keep it real. My goal isn't to tell you how to live your life, but to help you feel more confident, capable, and in control of it.
I am deeply committed to ongoing growth, both personally and professionally, because I believe the best way to support others is to continually reflect, learn, and evolve.
First session
In our first session, I like to focus on getting to know each other and creating a comfortable, safe space for you to share. I’ll ask questions to understand what’s bringing you to therapy, and together we’ll explore the challenges you’re facing and the areas of your life where you’d like to grow or change. We’ll talk about your goals and what success in therapy looks like for you, and I’ll explain how we can work together in a collaborative partnership. By the end of the session, we’ll have a clearer understanding of our therapeutic relationship and begin developing a treatment plan that feels tailored to your needs and strengths.
Strengths
My greatest strengths as a therapist lie in my ability to create a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely seen and understood. I am highly attuned to both emotions and patterns, which allows me to help clients gain insight into their experiences while also offering practical strategies for coping and growth. What stands out about my therapeutic approach is that I integrate evidence-based methods like CBT and DBT with humanistic and attachment-informed principles, tailoring each session to the unique needs of the client. The result is a collaborative, empowering process that not only addresses immediate challenges but also supports long-term personal development and resilience.
Ideal clients
I am best positioned to support individuals who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or navigating significant life transitions and are ready to better understand themselves and create meaningful change. Many of my clients experience anxiety, depression, trauma, or struggles with self-esteem and are seeking a safe, nonjudgmental space to process their experiences. I work well with clients who are open to self-reflection, building insight, and developing practical coping strategies. Together, we focus on increasing emotional awareness, strengthening resilience, and helping you feel more grounded, empowered, and aligned with the life you want to create.
Treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
In my work with clients, I use a person-centered approach by prioritizing a warm, collaborative relationship where they feel genuinely heard, accepted, and respected. I focus on empathic listening and reflection to help clients deepen their understanding of their emotions and experiences, trusting their innate capacity for growth and self-direction. Rather than directing or prescribing solutions, I create a supportive space that allows clients to clarify what matters most to them and move toward change in ways that feel authentic and empowering.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT in a collaborative and compassionate way, helping clients gently notice how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and shape their lived experience. Together, we explore patterns that may be contributing to distress, while identifying strengths and practical tools that support relief and growth. I aim to make CBT feel empowering rather than prescriptive, supporting clients in developing skills they can use with confidence both in session and in their everyday lives.
Attachment-based
In my work with clients, I use an attachment-based approach by attending closely to how early and ongoing relational experiences shape patterns of connection, safety, and self-worth. I prioritize creating a secure, consistent therapeutic relationship where clients can explore attachment needs, relational wounds, and defenses with openness and care. Through this process, clients are supported in developing greater emotional security, self-compassion, and more fulfilling ways of relating to themselves and others.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
In my work with clients, I integrate DBT by creating a validating and supportive space where they feel fully seen while learning practical tools to navigate intense emotions and challenging relationships. I collaborate with clients to strengthen mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness in ways that feel relevant to their everyday lives. Throughout the process, I emphasize compassion and validation, while empowering clients to develop greater stability, self-trust, and resilience.
Humanistic
I draw on a humanistic approach by fostering a warm, accepting, and nonjudgmental environment where they feel safe to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I focus on helping clients connect with their authentic selves, uncover their strengths, and clarify what brings meaning and fulfillment to their lives. Through this supportive partnership, clients are empowered to grow, make conscious choices, and move toward greater self-understanding and personal wholeness.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Licensed in
- KentuckyLicense 300198