ABOUT

Kristen Kern, LPC

As your counselor, I am passionate about creating a warm and safe environment…

…an environment that allows you the space to grow and heal.

In a world that often feels as if it’s moving so very fast, you will hopefully discover that my office quickly becomes a safe refuge – and one that helps you slow down, pause, and gently open your story.

Friendliness, warmth, and compassionate presence are just a few of the things I hope you feel in my office. I value connection and tend to build organic relationships with my clients.

You’ll discover when sitting with me in counseling that it feels more like a conversation with a familiar person. I am very intentional with helping a person feel heard, validated, and understood.

Your story matters, and I can’t wait to hear it.

But don’t worry; before we dig deep into your story, I’ll make sure you have the resources and coping tools to manage emotions that could come up.

I want to honor you being the expert of you, so collaboration is something I value and am intentional with.

We’ll join forces together to identify strengths and problem areas, set goals, and work together to help you achieve emotional well-being.

I’ll be right alongside you as we explore your current emotions, thoughts, patterns, and behaviors – while discovering any ways they are woven to past wounds that need to be healed. We will work together to heal anything that is interfering with you being your best and most authentic self.

My hope is to be a vessel of hope for you.

You deserve to be the best you!

My heartfelt intent is that counseling with me is a space where growth and healing abound.

If you happen to be wonder what my office looks like, it is very light and easy, not overly formal. I have comfy furniture, toys, and a space intended for anyone to feel at ease. I work with all ages, and love creativity so I keep a cabinet full of supplies for anything we might need. Creative interventions are one of my favorite things, actually, and they are very naturally woven into our work together.

I am a natural nurturer.

Mindfulness is something I’m passionate about in many regards.

I love helping people and making the world a little bit brighter (I know it sounds cheesy, but that’s totally me, and I’ve been that way my whole life). As a young child I knew wanted to help people. Thankfully I followed those internal nudges.

I’ve always been a deep thinker.

As a child I enjoyed sitting with my thoughts and letting my mind wander.

I’ve always been drawn to deep connections, meaningful conversations, and kindness. From early on, creativity has been a special place of enjoyment for me. All of those things are now the part of who I am as a professional counselor. Many of the things I bring into counseling are just a part of who I am, and are woven into the very essence of my being.

My development as a professional counselor was such a natural progression.

I’ve been helping children, adolescents, and adults in the field of mental health for over 15 years.

Throughout the course of my professional experience, I have spent a significant amount of time working within the field of grief/loss, trauma, and depression. My compassionate approach to counseling was greatly influenced by my time working with hospice. Within the hospice environment I provided grief counseling to adults and children, led support groups, and developed programs like a grief camp and school based support. The richness of that experience greatly shaped who I am as a counselor, and person.

I have experience working within school based settings, home settings, community mental health, and crisis response. My experience in hospice and in other areas of treatment lends itself to honoring whatever place a person may be on their journey, finding richness in the present moment. I am fully trained in EMDR and have received formal training in TF-CBT. Along with those modalities I approach counseling from a person centered approach, while also utilizing other therapeutic modalities based off the unique needs of my client. I obtained my Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and my Bachelor of Science in Psychology. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).

A little more about me…

Family time is something I treasure.

I’ve been married to my husband for 13 years. Together with our daughter (10) and son (2), we love everything from Friday night movie nights, to soaking up the beauty in nature, and traveling.

Painting furniture and baking (with my daughter by my side) are just a few of my favorite creative outlets these days. I still enjoy many of my favorite childhood things, like letting my mind wander and sitting with my thoughts, especially in nature.

Stillness and music restore me. I love savoring a warm cup of coffee or tea.

I can’t wait to meet you! Let’s do this! Your future is waiting.