Being human is f%&$#*! hard.

 
 
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I know what it’s like to look like you are holding it together. You put on the mask, do all the things, but inside, you are barely holding on.

Stressed out. Burnt out. Paralyzed with anxiety. You’re overwhelmed with relationships and responsibilities. Social life - what’s that? You’re too exhausted from everyday life even to think that far.

You’re stuck in survival mode, trying to keep those big, confusing feelings at bay.

Asking for help feels impossible.

You may have even done it before. Endless psychology today profiles trying to find a therapist or counselor who seems like an actual human and not a robot. They are all saying the same thing, but no one seems to get you. You can’t believe you’re even trying again.

You’ve probably felt like an outsider your whole life, so this is no exception. You chameleon your way in and out, getting by, but inside you would just love to be able to scream THIS $!#%$% SUCKS to someone who truly gets it.

You probably hate small talk but love an in-depth conversation or losing yourself in a good book.

You might have a list of conditions or prior diagnoses that never felt quite right. Always put into a box that didn’t fit, or a shirt that was way too scratchy.

But you are sensitive, empathetic, and love to dig in deep.

You are ready to reconnect to your authentic self, leave behind old patterns, break generational cycles, and know you have what it takes; you just need someone in your corner to help you get there.

If this sounds like you, I’m so freaking ready to join you.

I’m Kristina; a millennial, late diagnosed autistic, most definitely weird, therapist and health coach.

39 year old white woman with brown hair in a messy bun, wearing a black semi casual tank top, a wide smile, and brown glasses. She has a large tattoo of a nautilus and flowers showing on her shoulder and is against a green living wall with yellow.

Kristina J. Risola, MA, CRC, NBC-HWC, RMHCI

I worked for 7 years in public social services, providing rehabilitation & career counseling to teens and young adults with disabilities, primarily neurodivergence, learning disabilities, and physical conditions. I LOVED it - too much. I gave it my all, found myself in classic autistic burnout, and collected a range of chronic health conditions along the way. Terrified and sad, I decided to lean into my intuition and work on healing myself. So I left my stable State counseling job and jumped into entrepreneurship - pursuing another life passion in medical cannabis - as a Cannabis Health Coach and Director of Operations at Florida Medical Cannabis Clinic. I also taught my dog Ripley how to talk & created an online platform, which led me on this wild journey to being diagnosed as autistic at 39. Through my own work in personal therapy and the expressive arts, I’ve recovered from autistic burnout and found my way back to my greatest honor - being a small part in your story.

I offer virtual holistic services using expressive arts, somatic techniques, mindfulness, person-centered counseling, and coaching modalities to help normalize and navigate anxiety, depression, and grief due to chronic pain and illness, traumatic experiences, and life transitions. I also help newly diagnosed or self-diagnosed neurodivergent individuals explore their authentic selves and begin the unmasking process. I love to get into the weeds, am always down for a special interest info dump, and am not afraid to talk about the hard things - from your public meltdown to your homophobic, racist uncle, to your past trauma, to your wild psychedelic experiences, I’m here for it all.

 
 
 
 

A crooked tree won’t fit into the mill machine.
They are left to grow wild and free. I’d rather be a crooked tree.

GOLDEN HIGHYWAY & MOLLY TUTTLE

 
 
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Meet Kristina (she/her)

  • Neurodivergent (autistic, gifted)

  • Recovering perfectionist & overachiever

  • Unapologetic Dog Mom

  • Badass woman living with invisible illness, “spoonie”

  • Creator, artist, writer & full-blooded INFJ

 
 


The slightly formal stuff.

With 20+ years of experience working in various healthcare and social services settings, I’ve seen and done it all - from private practice, to inpatient mental health care, to outpatient community settings. Transitioning into the medical cannabis world in 2017, I’ve since been on a journey of “unlearning” the blank slate therapist face I was taught in school and instead am trying to be the healer I always wanted for myself - a real, perfectly imperfect human being not afraid to put it all out there and really sit in the mud.

A lifelong creative and entrepreneur, I’ve never been able to do just one thing (special interests are real!). I’m a serial entrepreneur, former food blogger, writer, and creative at heart. I’ve produced online content since my teeny bopper days - you know that Backstreet Boys fan page was dope as hell! One of my current special interests is augmentative interspecies communication, i.e., my dog talks and we make videos about it and share them on the internet. His name is Ripley, he’s relentless, and my absolute soul dog. I love working with fellow content creators and I understand what it’s like to put your work out there - trolls and all.

I completed a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling at the University of South Florida. I’m a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern. I’m a lifelong learner and am currently pursuing training in Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy at the Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute. I believe that learning is more than from a book or course, so I take part in both weekly therapy and regular supervision.

Education

Masters of Arts, Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling
University of South Florida, 2011

Bachelors of Arts, Psychology
University of South Florida, 2008

Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy Level 1, 2024
Healer Certified, 2019
Wellcoaches Core Training, 2016
Primal Health Coach Certification, 2016
Primal Blueprint Expert Certification, 2016

Currently Enrolled/Completed Coursework Towards: Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapist (EXAT), PESI Autism Specialist Certification Course, Restorative Embodiment and Expressive Arts Practitioner Certificate, Nature-Based Expressive Arts Practitioner

Upcoming/Planned Coursework: Restorative Attachment Expressive Arts and Sensory Processing as Neurodiversity Affirming Practices, Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Certificate

License and Certifications

Florida Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, License# IMH 26194
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, #00115999
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, #A-2255686
Certified Wellcoach #211004, Wellcoaches
Certified Primal Health Coach, #10565626

FL Supervisor

Sara Deese MA, MCAP, LMHC-QS, LPC, LPCC
License #MH18260

 
    • You aren't broken. All of you is beautiful. There are no "bad" parts of us.

    • Trauma often resides within our bodies, beyond the reach of words. Effective healing requires us to step out of our minds and reconnect with both our sensory experiences and our conscious memories. The arts and your inner creativity can be a vehicle for this healing.

    • Your trauma and/or chronic illness doesn't define you, but it sure as hell shapes your experience and worldview. I want to understand this perspective.

    • Being a human is hard, messy, complex, and incredibly beautiful. Witnessing your experience and being a small part of your journey is truly an honor. It's an importance I hold close.

    • Therapy is political no matter how hard we try to pretend it's not. Life is political. Systems are biased, oppressive, and flawed and influence all aspects of our lives. I strive to honor each person’s lived experience, understanding that mental health care is deeply intertwined with these larger societal forces. I work to create a space where clients can explore not just their personal struggles, but also how societal expectations, norms, and systemic barriers may be affecting their well-being.

    • Authenticity starts with the therapist.

    • Self-compassion, curiosity, and healthy boundaries are necessary for growth.

    • Authentic - I'm working hard to undo my blank slate therapist face. I'm not afraid to show up as my whole human self and I encourage you to do the same. I wear a black tank top and gym shorts 99.5% of the time, I curse a little too much, and if my hair is in braids it's because I haven't washed it.

    • Collaborative - I believe that you should be in the driver's seat. You can expect that I will check in, make sure we are meeting your needs and goals, and encourage an open and honest dialogue. I want to know how it is going - or how it could be going better, even if that means I need to do my own work.

    • Experiential - Some sessions may be more active and directive than others. We might talk, play a game, draw, meditate, finger paint, dig into your favorite music or tik toks, or do a relaxation exercise. In between sessions I may ask you to try new skills, journal on something we talked about, or make an art project. These "homework assignments" aren't about the outcome or final product - they are meant to help facilitate growth and healing.

    • Humorous - I'm weird and quirky and am most likely going to crack (an appropriately timed) joke.

    • Intellectual - I love all things psychology, mental health, neurodiversity, consciousness, plant medicine, and personal growth. Psycho-education can help clients better understand their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. I'm always down for a geeky deep dive, but before I jump into educating you can always expect me to ask if you want to hear it.

    • Person-Centered - My approach centers on the belief that our relationship is at the core of our work together. No number of titles or degrees can substitute for a deep and personal therapeutic connection. I intend to create a space of authenticity and trust, built on warmth, empathy, acceptance, and likely a dash of humor. Over time we will learn what works best for you and we'll do just that! You are a full and beautiful complex human, not some checklist in the DSM or book of modalties.

    • You are ready to do the work and make changes in your life.

    • You suspect or know that you are autistic, neurodivergent, and/or gifted.

    • You feel too much and not good enough all at the same time.

    • You are ready to find your deeper meaning and higher purpose.

    • You work too much or stay busy to avoid feeling the big stuff.

    • You want to move past people pleasing, old wounds, and gaining worth through accomplishments.

    • You are into mind-body wellness and are open to the slightly, or maybe not so slightly, woo-woo.

    • You are a cycle breaker, ready to heal generational trauma.

    • Living with chronic pain and invisible disabilities has you stuck in survival mode.

    • You are struggling with self-esteem, relationships, school, and work tasks.

    • You are ready to reconnect with your creative self and awaken your inner child.

    • You utilize medical cannabis and/or plant medicines and need an integrative provider who understands your world.

    • You are open to humanistic counseling, expressive arts, and health & wellness coaching to heal holistically.

    1. Email me today.
      We'll schedule an initial intake session or a free 15 minute call to explore if we are a good fit and answer any questions you might have.

    2. Get the support you need. Join me each week as we develop the tools you need to find calm in your life.

    3. Find your joy. We'll work towards reconnecting with your authentic self and reaching your goals.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Neurodivergent Affirming Therapy

  • therapy for dog people

  • Expressive Arts coaching

  • Anxiety Treatment

  • Cannabis coaching & Education

  • Trauma-informed care

  • Autism unmasking & support

  • humanistic counseling

  • Counseling for content creators & creatives

  • Mental Health Counseling

  • Health & Wellness Coaching

  • Chronic Illness and Pain Therapy

  • Grief and loss therapy

  • Career Assessments, Counseling, & Coaching

  • Psychedelic Integration

  • Creativity coaching

  • person-centered counseling

  • existential therapy

  • trauma-informed expressive arts therapy

 
 
 

CALL OR TEXT

727-201-2190

E-MAIL

 
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