New to Grow
Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a Licensed Addiction Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado. I have worked in the field of co-occurring disorders since 2011, primarily in substance use treatment programs, jails, and with individuals struggling with serious mental illness. I began my private practice during the height of COVID-19 in May 2020. I specialize in relationship issues (boundary work, attachment styles, and interpersonal dynamics), as well as substance use, and trauma. My best work is with individuals who have experienced significant conflict or trauma and seek to understand the impact of this experience, learn from it, and shape a new identity and purpose to enable movement forward.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
The initial session lays the groundwork for the following sessions. Most important is the feeling of connection we share, as this is the primary conduit of engagement and change. We will discuss the concerns that brought you to therapy, and I may ask you questions about yourself, your relationships, and your history to better understand the context of your experience. I will also share information about my background and experience and answer any questions you may have. Together we will form preliminary treatment goals which will guide subsequent discussions.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
Through years of listening to clients I discovered that each individual has a unique story and experience and wants to feel that life has intrinsic meaning and value. I approach every individual client's therapy with an eagerness to understand their unique experience in the world. I would feel privileged to be part of your journey towards a better understanding of yourself in the world.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to help motivated individuals who seek genuine change in their lives and enhanced understanding of themselves. In my many years of therapeutic work I learned that we have all been shaped by our experiences in the world. Our current behaviors, though sometimes problematic, serve a purpose in helping us survive. We will work together to explore their source and understand their purpose, while simultaneously teaching you to become more emotionally adept at navigating difficult circumstances and improving your connection to self and others around you.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use dialectical behavior therapy to draw awareness to problematic thinking and behavior, teach emotional flexibility, and facilitate better communication in interpersonal relationships.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use ACT to help clients identify their beliefs and underlying values. This important work enables understanding that discomfort with problem behaviors often stems from acting in ways that are inconsistent with one's value system. Therapy aims to identify one's values and facilitate behavior change, so actions align with what one deems most important.
Narrative
One of my favorite quotes is by Joan Didion: “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” Everyone has a story. In fact, without knowing it, we're constantly writing and revising our personal narrative of ourselves and the world around us. Often, our story hinders progress and worse, creates problems in our lives. Narrative therapy seeks to explore these problem narratives, explore their source and lessons learned, and author new ones that enhance resilience and empower movement forward with purpose.