New to Grow
Hello! I'm Kristyn and have been an LCSW going on a couple of years now. I work with those struggling with substance use disorders day to day, but also work with a variety of clients who have different mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, etc. I am a big book person and love exploring different worlds through the stories I get to read. On top of that I have two young children and can understand the days that you're doing your best to parent and feel stuck. I'd love to connect to see if we are a good fit!
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Typically I use our first session to get an appropriate understanding of where you are coming from, what your past experiences are, what you feel you're struggling with and begin to develop a guideline of what we might work on in future sessions. I like to break these type of assessments up into being a conversation, so it's not only me throwing a bunch of questions at you. I often tell people to let me know if they need a break as having to give a background of yourself can be very uncomfortable or tiring.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am someone who will always be on your side to support you, even if it's not what you want to hear. I don't like to "yes" people to death, as that doesn't always help your development. I become devoted to watching you succeed and will be there to support you when things don't go your way. I enjoy being able to give "homework" in the sense that I want you to practice the things we learn so one day you're able to do them without thinking about it.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
The people I enjoy working with are those who are willing to put in the work to grow to become a more powerful and confident version of ourselves. I want to be able to assist those who feel they are struggling with finding balance in their life, having a hard time making connections with others or would like to work on gaining confidence. I'm also happy to work with clients who are at that "I'm not sure yet" stage. Often people know they want or need to make changes in their life, but aren't sure what is the right first step. I'm here to help navigate that path with you and celebrate your successes, and support during hard times.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
review how your thoughts influence your feelings and actions learn key points of the model of emotions explore past and present experiences and develop how to change our reactions to things that can affect us
Motivational Interviewing
Learn what stage of change you are in and what that means for you identify important values and future goals set manageable, smaller goals to be able to achieve larger ones
Polyvagal Therapy
develop knowledge about the nervous system and learn experiences can effect how we physically feel and interact with our world develop skills to help with body regulation to reduce feelings of anxiety, panic understand different body reactions (fight/flight/freeze) and how to use these effectively
Psychoeducation
empower yourself with knowledge to create change normalize past and present experiences learn skills to be able to handle tough situations or emotions Build insight to why things have or haven't worked for you in the past
Supportive
remain in an open and non-judgmental environment have feelings validated without enabling unhelpful behaviors allow the opportunity to learn healthy connections with others