Hello, my name is Kris. I am a Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1-trained therapist, a mixed media artist, and a survivor of complex trauma.

My Counseling Approach

My counseling approach is guided by intuition and rooted in warmth, collaboration, and support. I strive to create a safe and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen and heard. Grounded in a strengths-based perspective, I work with clients to identify their inner resources and build on those to foster personal growth and resilience. My style is gentle yet direct, offering empathy and understanding while helping clients move toward clarity, healing, and meaningful change.

Based on each person’s unique needs, I draw on techniques from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, Relational Cultural Theory (RCT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and visual arts-based activities. I also help people develop practical, compassionate self-care strategies to foster resilience and create a foundation for thriving in the face of life’s challenges.

What is IFS?

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a compassionate and evidence-based approach to therapy that helps people explore and heal the different "parts" of themselves—such as thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—with curiosity and care. At its core, IFS is grounded in the belief that everyone has a calm, wise, and compassionate center, known as the Self, which can guide healing and foster inner harmony.

IFS offers a gentle way to heal emotional pain, nurture self-compassion, and move toward greater balance and authenticity. To learn more, visit the IFS Institute.

What is Relational Cultural Theory?

Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) is based on the idea that relationships are at the heart of how we grow and thrive throughout our lives, and that our culture plays a big role in shaping those relationships. RCT focuses on building stronger connections with ourselves and others while addressing the personal and societal factors that can create disconnection, like power imbalances or feelings of exclusion. I’ve found that helping people do two things—recognize and nurture the connections that support them and identify (and where possible, address) the sources of disconnection in their lives—can lead to greater self-trust, empowerment, and overall well-being.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a practical approach that focuses on building solutions instead of dwelling on the problems that bring someone to counseling. It’s all about setting goals, looking ahead, and tapping into your strengths. I find that parts of this approach can help people feel more hopeful by creating a clear picture of the future they want and more empowered to make the changes they need to get there.

Visual Arts-Based Activities

Basic art activities (such as IFS parts mapping) can help people explore their emotions and express different parts of themselves. Creating a concrete, visual representation of these inner parts can make it easier to understand them, build compassion for them, and gain insight into their inner world.

On a Personal Note

I’d describe myself as easygoing, warm, and a little quirky—young at heart with an old soul. In my free time, I enjoy flower gardening, yoga, and expressive arts like painting and writing. Family and friendships are central to my life, and my adult child, now in their 20s, is the absolute light of my life.

As a survivor of sexual trauma, I’ve spent many years on my own healing journey—a journey that profoundly shapes my work as a counselor. This experience deepens my empathy and informs my commitment to creating a safe, supportive space for clients to explore their own paths to healing