Welcome, and thank you for considering working with me! My name is Kristen and I am a licensed professional counselor in the state of Georgia. I have had over 5 years experience working in the mental health field. I have worked in a variety of settings including in-home, hospital, private office and running an outpatient day program for severe mental illness. I have had experience working with a broad range and severity of clinical issues. I have the most experience working with anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), low-self esteem, depression, anger management, family conflict, relationship conflicts, and self-esteem. I also have experience working with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mild autism. I pride myself on creating an environment for my clients that is upbeat, positive and supportive. I love helping clients boost their self-esteem, and increase their quality of life. My dedication to the field of mental health stems from my lifelong passion for helping others. I have always been the friend that people turned to for a listening ear or advice, so I took my natural gifts of emotional support and I went to school to sharpen my skills, learn proven techniques, and become a counselor. I understand that having mental health concerns can be difficult. There is still so much stigma around having mental health issues, which prevents many people from seeking help, so I work to show people that seeking assistance is healthy and should be the norm. The process for getting help can sometimes be overwhelming, and it can feel frustrating and lonely. However, I also know from experience how much life can change for the better when you find support and take steps towards taking care of yourself! I feel that building rapport is the most important factor to successful counseling. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to share their stories, process their journey and gain the peace and achievements they seek. I use a person-centered, holistic, multicultural, and eclectic approach in treatment, meaning I begin where you are and tailor treatment approaches to your needs while being sensitive to how your own personal cultural identities and lifestyle choices impact your experience. I primarily use evidence based techniques including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused counseling. However, I do incorporate more “classical” approaches to counseling as well. I would describe my style as warm and supportive, but I am ready to help you tackle your struggle head-on. Together we can work on establishing goals and steps for you to help overcome your current problems. I look forward to speaking with you!