Hi, I’m Kirsten, and since you’re here reading this, give yourself a pat on the back! It’s a big step recognizing you want change and to seek help for yourself or your child. But I get it, finding a therapist can feel intimidating — so to help you decide if we might be a good fit, here’s a brief snapshot of me and my experiences below.
I’ve worked as a researcher, teacher, assessor, and consultant (to name a few), but the role I’m most passionate about is a therapist.
Developing relationships — both personally and professionally — is a great joy in my life, and I wholeheartedly believe in their healing power. So, it’s no surprise to me that research tells us that relationships are the strongest facilitators of change across all types of therapy.
Grounded in this perspective, I purposefully create a safe and collaborative space for you — one that feels welcoming and open. You are the expert in your life, and I work alongside you to support your growth.
And I know this kind of change can be difficult. It’s okay to feel vulnerable, it’s natural to feel uncomfortable. But we’ll work together through it all, and help you develop skills you can use in different relationships and settings throughout the rest of your life.
My approach
So, let’s talk a bit about how we’ll work together.
Mental health challenges are natural (even resilient) responses to difficult situations. That’s why I start with gaining a better understanding of the impact of your social identities and background. From here, we will work to address the root causes of your difficulties, while also managing your day-to-day stressors.
I recognize that all parts of your life interact to impact your well-being, so a part of my work that is very important is treating the “whole” person. I’m uniquely situated to act as your advocate which can often include collaborating with other systems in your life to ensure we are addressing your full picture.
I’ll support you throughout this process using a relational, person-centered, and humanistic approach. I’ll also integrate different skills-based methods to help you cope with your specific needs (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy; dialectical behavior therapy; mindfulness techniques, and others). Bottom line: I’m here to help you achieve your goals and nurture the most fulfilling and connected life possible.
Professional experience
I’ve been working in the mental health field for over ten years. I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology and many years of research experience. As a researcher, I enjoyed supporting the larger population through my work but felt removed from the people I was helping. So, I returned to school to complete my doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. I then completed my postdoctoral fellowship at Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School where I went on to work as a Staff Psychologist.
Although I’ve worked with a diverse range of people, I specialize in working with children, teens, and young adults with anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, behavior difficulties, and attention/executive function difficulties. I especially enjoy supporting relationships and communication, as well as identity development and life transitions.
I have significant experience providing individual and group therapy and conducting psychological assessments in the school, community mental health, and child/adolescent inpatient settings. I have also worked with court-involved youth, clinically and through court-based evaluations, and have consulted with local police.
Thanks for getting to know me a bit, and I truly look forward to working with you or your child in the future.