Imagine life is like a journey completely in your control but you feel stuck. Choices you make dictate life’s obstacles and they can be tricky. Life’s journey comes with no instruction pamphlet or ready-made companions. A path unfolds and you decide what to do and who to trust along the way. As you journey you begin to see things you want, potential companions, places you want to explore, and tools you can use to make travels simpler. There are so many choices to make with no time to stop and contemplate the best decision; you have to keep going by making choices every day, about everything. Decisions and deadlines do not wait. Consequences of decisions do not wait for preparations of readiness. Age does not determine how hard life can be nor deter reality. Whether you are age 5 or 95, you have to wake up daily and continue life’s journey, but it is not always an easy task. My theoretical orientation is Person-Centered Therapy and Gestalt Therapy. Let me be your Phoenix! I believe life’s tools are inside of us, self-actualization, self-trust, coping strategies, and the willingness to grow. We simply must explore them. At Rapunzel's Phoenix Counseling Services, I help toddlers, children, adolescents, adults, families, and the LGBTQIAPK community. Online Counseling Services are available upon request.

I love collaborating with clients to grow and heal. I also enjoy working with clients via Telehealth from the convenience of home and a schedule that fits the needs of a working person. Specializes in helping children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics to understand their mental health conditions as well as moods, thoughts and behaviors. Throughout treatment, clients will learn healthy habits to take control of their lives as well as coping skills to deal with challenges and problematic situations.  Work with children ages 3 and up (and parents) with Parent Child Interaction Therapy. These include Mood Disorders (Bi-Polar, Anxiety and Depression), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, behavior problems in children and teens, changes within the family, communication problems, death of a loved one, divorce, separation or marital problems, LGBTQA++, polyamorous relationships, psycho-sexual issues, parent-child conflicts, sibling issues, stressful events or major life transitions, and trauma. A nine-year veteran of the United States Air Force;  widow of a 20-year USAF retiree; NC Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Certified in Parent-Child Interactional Therapy, UNC-Duke Consortium; member of the National Association of Social Workers, Diplomate in Hypnosis, Diplomate in American Psychotherapy Association, (diplomate means the highest level of training one can accomplish),  Board Certified Expert in Forensic Trauma, member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (AAETS).  In 1988, completed all requirements for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists under the supervision of Dr Geroge Wolcott.  Taught college-level classes as an Associate and Adjunct Professor in Social Work, Psychology and Sociology.  Have worked as the interim Human Service Program Director (chair) for Mitchell College, Field Placement Coordinator and Director, Livingstone College. Owned a private practice with eight therapists, a psychiatrist and a psy nurse practitioner working for me from 1993-2014.  Have worked as Program Director and manager for non-profit and for-profit agencies; long-term care consultant, and Director of Psychological Health for the USAF. I attend and participate in workshops, lectures and symposiums. frequently.  Have presented lectures and workshops on Domestic Violence, Addictions, Blended Families, Chronic Mental Illness, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Stress, Hypnosis, Life-Work Balance, Neurophysiology of the Brain and effects of PTSD, Marriage and Family Dynamics, Grief, and Bi-Polar.   Areas of research include  Date Violence: Can The Cycle Be Broken; Domestic Violence; Veterans issues, Transgender issues, and PTSD. Earned a National Mental Health Award from the National Department of Veteran's Affairs; earned a USAF Human Service Medal for helping survivors of the Jonestown Massacre in Guyana; earned several USAF national awards for writing and broadcast journalism; earned several Veterans Administration awards for outstanding and compassionate care.  Have written and been published as a journalist in national and local magazines and newspapers.  Recognized by Who's Who for Outstanding Mental Health Services and Leadership. 

Do you feel stuck worrying, the thoughts never stop? Hi, I’m Kristin, and I work with adults (ages 18-40) facing stress related to managing responsibilities and navigating relationships. I received my Masters from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I assisted others learn healthy ways to cope. I spend my free time with my family hiking, boating, and enjoying any other activity that involves being outside. I look forward to helping you navigate life circumstances, as you become a more at ease version of yourself.

You are welcome here. What version of you gives away your power? Do you find yourself meeting people where they are yet often feel unsupported in the way you need it? Are you struggling to find balance and purpose as a mama? Are you experiencing fear and anxiety or depression during your pregnancy and/or post-partum? Did you know post-partum recovery can last upwards to 10yrs? I offer a compassionate, integrative, holistic approach in supporting women in their paths to mind, body, spiritual wellness. This decision is grounded in the belief that you already possess many tools for healing and life satisfaction within. I will hold sacred space as you journey inward to your well-being. Whether you are experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, confusion, conflict in relationships, lack of boundaries or showing up as the cycle-breaker, I am here. As Bessel van der Kolk shares "Trauma shows up as a behavior". I extend an invitation for you to connect.