Licensed to practice in Minnesota and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Autism, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD), Mood Disorders

Kristen Math

LPCC, 11 years of experience
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New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

You deserve a place where you don't have to pretend you're okay or worry about being misunderstood. I strive to create a space where you can bring your whole self, your strengths, your struggles, your questions, and even the parts of yourself that have never felt easy to explain. I work with children, adolescents, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship concerns, ADHD, autism, and other mental health challenges. Every person experiences the world differently, so rather than relying on assumptions, I take the time to understand your unique story, how your mind works, and what has shaped your experiences. Together, we'll identify practical strategies to reduce distress while building a life that feels authentic, meaningful, and sustainable. My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I believe that meaningful change begins with feeling genuinely understood. Therapy isn't about changing who you are, it's about helping you better understand yourself, recognize your strengths, and develop the tools to move forward with greater confidence. I offer both in-person and virtual appointments for children, adolescents, and adults. Finding the right therapist matters, and I would be honored to be part of your journey.

Get to know me

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

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. I'll spend time learning about what brings you to therapy, but I'm equally interested in understanding you as a person, not just the symptoms you're experiencing. I'll ask questions about your life, your relationships, your strengths, and the experiences that have shaped you so I can begin to understand your unique perspective. This is also an opportunity for you to get to know me as a therapist and to ask questions about how therapy might work. I don't expect for you to have everything figured out before you arrive. Some people come with a clear idea of what they want to work on, while others simply know that something isn't working. Either is perfectly okay. We'll move at a pace that feels comfortable, and there is never pressure to share more than you're ready to discuss. By the end of our first meeting, my hope is that you'll feel heard, have a better understanding of how we'll work together, and leave with a sense of direction for where therapy can go from there.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

One of the most important goals that I have as a therapist is to understand you as a person and the struggles that you are having. There isn't a single approach that works for everyone, so I adapt my style to fit the way you naturally think, process information, and experience the world. Some people make sense of their experiences through emotions, others through physical sensations, and others by looking for patterns, logic, or understanding. My job is to meet you where you are rather than expecting you to adapt to me. I also believe that the therapeutic relationship itself is an important part of the work. You never have to worry about walking on eggshells with me. If you're frustrated, confused, disagree with me, or have feedback about our work together, I want to know. Those conversations often lead to some of the most meaningful growth because they give us an opportunity to understand what's happening in the moment and explore new ways of communicating, setting boundaries, and building confidence in relationships outside of therapy. Clients often describe me as warm, thoughtful, and genuinely curious. I enjoy helping people make sense of experiences that have felt confusing or overwhelming and connecting the dots between past experiences, present challenges, and future goals. Along the way, I'll help you recognize your progress, celebrate meaningful changes, and leave each session with a clearer understanding of what you're learning about yourself and how you can apply it in everyday life.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

The clients who tend to benefit most from working with me are those who want more than simply learning coping skills. They also want to understand themselves. Often, clients are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism, relationship challenges, or a major life transition and they have a desire to make sense of the patterns in their lives. Many of my clients have spent years feeling misunderstood, wondering why certain situations seem more difficult for them than for others or why they keep finding themselves facing the same challenges. I approach those questions with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to finding answers that fit your unique experiences and to understanding you. I enjoy working with people who value collaboration and are open to exploring both insight and practical change. My role isn't to tell you who you are or fit you into a predetermined approach. Instead, I take the time to understand how you think, process the world, and what has shaped your experiences. From there, we can develop strategies that are meaningful, realistic, and tailored to you. My hope is that therapy not only helps reduce distress but also leaves you with a deeper understanding of yourself and greater confidence in navigating life moving forward. Many of my clients are neurodivergent, including autistic individuals and those with ADHD, who are seeking a better understanding of themselves and support in navigating the unique opportunities and challenges they experience. I also work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, grief, chronic stress, life transitions, and other mental health challenges. Whether you've recently begun questioning why life has felt more difficult than it seems for others or you're simply looking for support through a challenging season, my goal is to understand your experiences without making assumptions.

Specialties

Top specialties

Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)

I identify as

Serves ages

Children (6 to 12)

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Location

Offers in-person in 3400 1st St N, St. Cloud, MN 56303, 105

Virtual

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

My therapeutic approach is integrative and individualized, drawing from evidence-based practices, including principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Rather than trying to eliminate difficult thoughts or emotions, I help clients develop greater psychological flexibility by learning to respond to life's challenges with curiosity, self-compassion, and intention. Together, we'll identify what matters most to you, explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical strategies that align with your values and goals. Because every person is unique, I tailor therapy to your individual strengths, needs, and way of experiencing the world, helping you build a life that feels meaningful, authentic, and sustainable.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in a collaborative and individualized way, helping clients recognize the connections between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life experiences. Together, we'll identify patterns that may be contributing to distress, gently examine whether those patterns are serving you, and develop practical strategies for creating meaningful change. Rather than applying CBT as a rigid set of techniques, I adapt it to fit your unique way of thinking and processing information, ensuring that the skills we develop are realistic, relevant, and sustainable in your everyday life.

Cognitive Processing (CPT)

When working with individuals who have experienced trauma, I incorporate principles of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help clients understand how traumatic experiences can shape the way they view themselves, others, and the world. Together, we'll identify beliefs that may have developed as a result of trauma, such as self-blame, guilt, shame, or difficulty trusting others, and thoughtfully examine whether those beliefs continue to serve you. Throughout the process, I provide a supportive, collaborative environment where you can process difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable, helping you develop more balanced perspectives, reduce the impact of trauma, and move toward healing while remaining grounded in your personal values and strengths.

Couples Counseling

In couples counseling, I view the relationship as the client rather than either individual. My role is to help both partners better understand one another's perspectives, improve communication, and identify the patterns that may be contributing to conflict or disconnection. Together, we'll create a space where each person feels heard and respected while developing practical skills for expressing needs, navigating differences, rebuilding trust, and strengthening the relationship. I tailor my approach to the unique dynamics of each couple, helping partners move away from blame and toward greater understanding, collaboration, and connection.

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

When working with individuals experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or anxiety-related concerns, I incorporate Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD. Together, we'll gradually face situations, thoughts, or sensations that trigger anxiety while learning to resist the compulsions or avoidance behaviors that temporarily reduce distress but ultimately keep the cycle going. Exposures are always collaborative, individualized, and completed at a pace that feels challenging yet manageable. Throughout the process, I'll provide support and guidance as you build confidence, increase tolerance for uncertainty, and discover that anxiety can be experienced without allowing it to control your life.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.