My name is Kristi. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida. I specialize in personalized counseling services and brainspotting therapy. I am committed to guiding clients like you through life's complexities, such as stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges. Together, we will create a warm and empathetic environment tailored to your unique needs and strengths, empowering you to achieve balance, resilience, and personal growth. I look forward to joining you on your journey of growth.
When we first meet, you'll be welcomed into a warm and accepting environment where we'll begin building the foundation for your therapeutic journey. We'll start by discussing confidentiality and informed consent, ensuring your privacy and comfort throughout the process. Our primary focus is creating a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to share your concerns and experiences. Together, we'll delve into the challenges you're facing, reflect on your past, and uncover your unique strengths. This in-depth understanding will allow us to identify your specific needs and aspirations. We'll then develop a personalized roadmap for your therapeutic journey, setting goals and outlining the strategies or interventions best suited to address your concerns. This initial session paves the way for our ongoing collaboration, as we work towards self-awareness, growth, and positive change. It marks the beginning of our partnership in helping you achieve your therapeutic objectives and live a more fulfilling and balanced life.
Building solid, trusting connections with clients is essential to my therapeutic approach. I cultivate an open and compassionate environment where you feel secure and supported while sharing your emotions and experiences. Empathy, understanding, and open-mindedness are at the core of my practice, establishing the foundation for personal growth and empowering you to face life's challenges with confidence. My own life experiences, including being part of a blended, culturally diverse family, enable me to better understand the complexities of integrating different perspectives. By bringing my authentic self to our sessions, I acknowledge the shared feelings of anxiety and overwhelm that many of us encounter, fostering a genuine and empathetic connection with my clients. My dedication to your well-being extends beyond our time together in sessions. I recognize the value of celebrating small achievements and moments of progress throughout your therapeutic journey, as these milestones strengthen resilience and nurture hope for the future.
I support clients through various life challenges, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, stress, and trauma. I'm passionate about guiding personal growth journeys using brainspotting therapy and/or individual therapy to address emotional distress and cultivate healing. I work best with individuals who are open to self-reflection and committed to positive change, tailoring my approach to meet their unique needs and preferences. My practice offers a safe, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions. I aim to empower individuals of all ages to overcome obstacles, enhance well-being, and achieve their personal goals. Ultimately, I strive to help clients navigate life's complexities and foster lasting positive change.
Using CBT techniques has helped clients understand the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and actions. The client will learn to recognize how their thoughts influence their feelings and behaviors. Coping skills will manage distressing thoughts and emotions.
During a brainspotting session, I will guide the client's attention to specific eye positions, or "brainspots," that are believed to be linked to the activation of traumatic memories or emotional experiences stored in the brain. I will facilitate the client in identifying and focusing on these brainspots while maintaining a state of mindfulness and openness to their inner experiences. This process allows the client to access deeper levels of emotional processing and release the stored trauma or distress associated with these memories.
I will use active listening to understand the underlying emotions and meaning with what the client reports. I will convey my understanding and will encourage the client to explore their feelings. The client will determine the topics they want to share.
I will assist the client in focusing on identifying and building solutions rather than analyzing problem. We will collaborate setting clear and specific goals and identify the client's strengths and existing solutions.
I will assist the client on focusing on increasing awareness of the moment without judgement, learning to set boundaries, express needs, navigating interpersonal conflicts, identifying and managing intense emotions, and distress tolerance.