Kristen has been a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Nova Scotia since 2022 after she immigrated to Halifax from Los Angeles, California. She greatly enjoys working with adults and older adults, as well as their partners and families. Her experience is informed by working with clients struggling with complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, coping with major life-transitions, addictive and compulsive behaviors, as well as grief, loss, and end-of-life. She is well versed in the complexities of polyamory/non-monogamous partnerships, gender identity, and sexual orientation journeys.
Kristen practices counseling styles based in trauma-informed treatment; including, but not limited to, Eye Movement Desensitization Reintegration (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS-informed), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). She strives to utilize these and other evidence-based counseling modalities that are client-centered approaches uniquely tailored to her client’s needs and preferences. She is eagerly looking forward to working with you on your journey.
Experience
Prior to immigrating to Nova Scotia, Kristen had worked with formerly unhoused veterans and their families in the Greater Los Angeles community for ten years. While working for the US Veteran’s Healthcare Administration, she collaborated daily with multiple community-based agencies to support her client’s care needs. Prior to Los Angeles, Kristen had worked with unhoused veterans in an emergency shelter in Queens, NY and unhoused 2SLGBTQI+ transitional age youth (18-24 years old) in Brooklyn, NY. Throughout her career, she has supported clients struggling with complex trauma and serious mental illness.
Client focus
Adults and older adults (18+). Veterans, military, first responders. Those struggling with complex trauma, depression, anxiety, life-transitions, addictive/compulsive behaviors, and grief/loss. Those in the 2SLGBTQI+ and polyamory/non-monogamous communities.
Types of Therapy
EMDR, IFS, MBSR, ACT
Conditions
Trauma and PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction/Compulsive Behaviors, Chronic Pain, Grief/Loss
Expertise
Trauma and PTSD
Veterans/Military/First responders
2SLGBTQ+
Polyamory/Ethical Non-Monogamy
