Hi, I'm Kristen Montiel. Searching for the right therapist can be a daunting process when you may already be feeling stressed or struggling. I know it's not easy and I'm so glad you're here! After experiencing my own struggles with family and relationships, I set out to help others who also felt stuck. I have a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling and a doctorate in psychology. With over 15 years of experience, my focus is helping individuals and couples understand themselves and use their own strengths to discover healing, even in the most difficult circumstances. I provide a non-judgmental space where clients can feel comfortable to work through challenges by exploring deep rooted patterns of hurt and disconnect, while developing new perspectives, learning new skills, and creating sustainable changes. I’ve helped hundreds of people find hope and renewed satisfaction in their lives and relationships. I look forward to helping you too!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Our first session is an opportunity for me to learn about you. You will also get to decide if you feel comfortable with me and if I'm the best fit for your needs. I'll spend some time asking you questions about why you are seeking therapy and gathering some additional history. Then, we will talk about what you are hoping to accomplish and what your goals are. I'll give you some thoughts and feedback I have on how I might best help you achieve your goals and then we'll make a plan for moving forward. I look forward to meeting you!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I take a truly collaborative approach when working with my clients. I am upfront and transparent. I will ask you what you are hoping to get from therapy and work diligently to help you achieve your goals. We will check in often about how you are progressing towards your goals and if my approach is helpful or if there is something additional you are needing from me. I value your feedback and communication. I am also very experienced at helping people get to the root of their struggles to create lasting change. I give practical feedback which helps my clients achieve a greater sense of happiness and ease in their lives and relationships.
About Kristen Montiel
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is one of my favorite modalities to use with couples. It's a researched based approach that boasts a 90% success rate for significantly reducing relational distress. Using EFT, I help individuals and couples understand how their attachment style and old hurt impacts their current relationships. This often leads to couples feeling heard and understood by one another, which greatly reduces conflict and negative interactions, leading to deeper connection and intimacy.
Gottman method
I have been using the Gottman method for the last decade when working with couples. Gottman is an approachable, easy to follow method that has helped my clients to learn how to "fight fair" during disagreement and conflicts, how to really hear one another, break out of the same old cycles that keep them feeling stuck and disconnected, and renew connection and intimacy.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I love using CBT to supplement my work with individuals who find themselves struggling with depression and anxiety. I use CBT to help individuals identify unhelpful thought patterns and teach them how to gently and lovingly think and respond in a different way. CBT is an effective treatment approach that can, quite literally, change the way you approach distressing emotions and thoughts.