Meet Kristina (she/her)
Neurodivergent (autistic, gifted) therapist & coach
Recovering perfectionist & overachiever
Unapologetic Dog Mom
Living with multiple ‘invisible’ disabilities/chronic illnesses - POTS/NCS/dysautonomia, Celiac, endometriosis, PCOS, Fibromyalgia, PTSD
Creator, mixed media 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, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, Certified Nature Based Expressive Arts Practitioner, and a Certified Restorative Embodiment & Expressive Arts Practitioner. 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
Master of Arts, Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling
University of South Florida, 2011
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
University of South Florida, 2008
Wellcoaches Core Training, 2016
Primal Health Coach Certification, 2016
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts, 2024-25
License and Certifications
Florida Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, License# IMH 26194
Supervised by: Sara Deese MA, MCAP, LMHC-QS, LPC, LPCC License #MH18260
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, #00115999
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, #A-2255686
Certified Wellcoach #211004, Wellcoaches
Certified Primal Health Coach, #10565626
Nature-Based Expressive Arts Practitioner #kxbxjqx12q
Restorative Embodiment & Expressive Arts Practitioner #03jqnpyg2d
Therapeutic Modalities
I utilize a holistic neurodivergent affirming & trauma-informed approach, integrating:
Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy & Coaching
Person-Centered/Humanistic/Existential Counseling
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-based techniques
Meditation
Experiential Therapy
Motivational Interviewing & Appreciative Inquiry
Somatic Therapies
Strength-Based & Solution Focused approaches
Polyvagal Theory
Bilateral Movement Desensitization and Resensitization™
Sensorimotor Expressive Arts Therapy
Brainspotting (starting March 2025)
-
You aren't broken. All of you is beautiful. There are no "bad" parts of us. All parts are welcome.
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, chronic illness, and/or neurotype 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. I also actively work to examine and challenge my own biases and patterns to ensure I’m contributing to an environment rooted in inclusion and growth.
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 suspect or know you’re autistic, neurodivergent, and/or gifted, and traditional therapy never quite “got” you.
You’ve been running in survival mode due to chronic pain, invisible disabilities, or generational trauma - and you’re ready for a change.
You’re ready to break from the cycle of overwork and self-doubt.
You keep yourself busy to avoid feeling those big, complex emotions, leaving you disconnected from your authentic self.
You’re open to mind-body wellness, or maybe even the “woo woo.”
You want to overcome old wounds and perfectionism - reclaiming your self-worth and rediscovering your inner child.
You’re looking for an integrative, neurodivergent affirming provider who understands that healing is holistic and that using tools like the expressive arts and plant medicine can be transformational.
You are tired of therapy that feels generic or clinical and ready for a creative and experiential space that allows you to explore your full, messy, beautiful self.
-
Reach out to get started.
Text, call, email, or book online! 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.Get the support you need. Join me each week (or whatever schedule works best for you) as we develop the tools you need to find calm in your life.
Find your joy. We'll work towards reconnecting with your authentic self and reaching your goals.