Kristen DeVito
I’m an LPC with six years of experience providing compassionate, individualized care to clients navigating a wide range of mental health and substance use concerns. My therapeutic approach is eclectic, person-centered, and grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, allowing me to tailor treatment to each client’s unique needs, goals, strengths, and lived experiences. I believe meaningful progress begins with a strong therapeutic relationship built on trust, respect, collaboration, and genuine rapport. I strive to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to participate actively in their healing process. In 2024, I founded Grey Rising, a private practice dedicated to supporting individuals as they work toward greater self-awareness, emotional well-being, and lasting change. Through Grey Rising, I provide care for a variety of mental health and substance use concerns, recognizing that each person’s journey is shaped by their personal history, relationships, challenges, and hopes for the future. My goal is to help clients identify patterns that may be holding them back, develop practical coping strategies, strengthen their sense of self, and build the skills needed to move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
I make room for difficult emotions and help clients feel heard, respected, and supported as they share at their own pace.
Strengths
One of the greatest strengths I bring to my sessions is empathy. I work to understand each client’s experiences from their perspective, listening with care, curiosity, and without judgment. I make room for difficult emotions and help clients feel heard, respected, and supported as they share at their own pace. I also place a strong emphasis on the therapeutic alliance—the trusting, collaborative relationship between counselor and client. I value your feedback, respect your autonomy, and work alongside you to establish meaningful goals. By building a relationship rooted in warmth, honesty, and consistency, I aim to create a space where you feel comfortable exploring challenges and taking steps toward change.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. When certain patterns contribute to distress or keep someone feeling stuck, CBT offers practical ways to recognize and change those patterns. Through a collaborative process, clients learn to consider more balanced perspectives and respond to challenges in ways that support their well-being. In treatment, CBT may involve identifying automatic thoughts, examining the evidence behind those thoughts, and developing more helpful responses. For example, someone who thinks, “If I make a mistake, I’m a failure,” might learn to recognize that a mistake does not define their worth or ability. Treatment can also include gradually approaching situations that trigger anxiety, scheduling meaningful activities when depression leads to withdrawal, and practicing problem-solving skills. Clients may practice these strategies between sessions to build confidence using them in everyday life. CBT can be helpful for concerns such as anxiety, depression, substance use, and sleep difficulties. Specific forms of CBT are also used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Treatment is tailored to the client’s needs and goals, with an emphasis on building skills that help manage current challenges and support continued progress beyond therapy.
Compassion-Focused
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is a therapeutic approach that helps clients develop a more understanding and supportive relationship with themselves and others. It is particularly helpful for exploring shame and harsh self-criticism, which can make difficult experiences even more painful. CFT encourages clients to recognize their suffering, understand what contributes to it, and develop the skills and courage to respond with care. In treatment, CFT may include mindfulness, compassionate imagery, and writing exercises that help clients practice a kinder inner voice. For example, someone who responds to a setback with “I’m never good enough” might practice acknowledging their disappointment while offering themselves understanding and encouragement. A therapist may also guide clients in imagining a compassionate, supportive presence or writing a letter to themselves from that perspective. These exercises help clients develop more supportive responses to difficult emotions and experiences. CFT can be useful for people experiencing anxiety or depression when shame, self-blame, or persistent self-criticism contributes to their distress. It may also be helpful for those who struggle to accept kindness or feel deserving of support. Treatment is collaborative and paced to the individual, helping clients build the capacity to offer themselves compassion while taking meaningful steps toward their goals.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Person-Centered Therapy is an approach that recognizes each client’s capacity for self-understanding, growth, and meaningful change. The therapeutic relationship is central to this process, with the therapist offering empathy, honesty, and acceptance without judgment. Clients are encouraged to explore their experiences at their own pace and guide the conversation toward what matters most to them. This supportive relationship can help strengthen self-awareness, confidence, and trust in their own decisions. In treatment, the therapist listens closely, reflects feelings, and helps clients explore their needs, values, and experiences. For example, someone who feels pressured to meet others’ expectations might explore what they personally want and need. Someone navigating grief may use sessions to express sadness, anger, or uncertainty openly. Through these conversations, clients can gain clarity and discover choices that feel meaningful to them. Person-centered counseling can offer support for concerns such as low self-esteem, depressed mood, worry, grief, relationship difficulties, and major life changes. It may be especially valuable for people who feel unheard or disconnected from their own needs. Treatment emphasizes a collaborative alliance that helps clients feel understood, recognize their strengths, and develop greater confidence in navigating present and future challenges.
Faith-based therapy
Faith-Based Therapy integrates a client’s religious or spiritual beliefs with professional counseling approaches. For clients who want faith included in treatment, it offers space to explore how their beliefs influence emotions, relationships, choices, and their sense of purpose. The process is collaborative, with the client’s values and preferences guiding how faith becomes part of therapy. In treatment, this may involve exploring spiritual sources of comfort, discussing meaningful teachings, or incorporating prayer or meditation when requested and appropriate. For example, someone experiencing anxiety might combine coping skills with a spiritual practice they find grounding. Someone navigating grief might explore questions about loss and meaning while openly expressing sadness, anger, or uncertainty. Faith-based counseling can support clients addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and spiritual struggles. Its usefulness depends on how well it fits the individual’s beliefs and treatment needs. By integrating meaningful spiritual resources with appropriate therapeutic care, it can help clients draw on sources of connection and hope while working toward their goals.
Motivational Interviewing
Faith-Based Therapy integrates a client’s religious or spiritual beliefs with professional counseling approaches. For clients who want faith included in treatment, it offers space to explore how their beliefs influence emotions, relationships, choices, and their sense of purpose. The process is collaborative, with the client’s values and preferences guiding how faith becomes part of therapy. In treatment, this may involve exploring spiritual sources of comfort, discussing meaningful teachings, or incorporating prayer or meditation when requested and appropriate. For example, someone experiencing anxiety might combine coping skills with a spiritual practice they find grounding. Someone navigating grief might explore questions about loss and meaning while openly expressing sadness, anger, or uncertainty. Faith-based counseling can support clients addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and spiritual struggles. Its usefulness depends on how well it fits the individual’s beliefs and treatment needs. By integrating meaningful spiritual resources with appropriate therapeutic care, it can help clients draw on sources of connection and hope while working toward their goals.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions4721 Co Rd 25, Killen, AL 35645
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Licensed in
- AlabamaLicense LPC05327