Kristen Ott

I never imagined creating my own wellness practice, but over time it became something I couldn’t ignore. Through a series of nudges—some gentle, some unmistakably clear—I realized this path wasn’t just an idea, it was a calling. I found myself wanting to understand why so many of us could appear “fine” on the outside while feeling completely unsteady within.

Over 17 years as a therapist, I’ve worked in settings ranging from inpatient hospitals to family living rooms. I’ve sat with parents in crisis, teens shut down by trauma, and couples longing to reconnect. Across every story, one truth kept emerging: trauma lives in the body. Even when the mind understands, the nervous system can remain stuck in patterns of fear, collapse, or survival.

I watched people blame themselves for their symptoms, not realizing those responses were once protective. I saw the weight of shame around coping—and I recognized those patterns in myself too. The anxiety, overthinking, and pressure to hold everything together weren’t just clinical concepts; they were deeply personal.

That realization led me to a different approach—one that doesn’t ask people to think their way out of pain, but instead helps them feel safer within their bodies. I began integrating somatic work, meditation, and stillness, learning how the body holds what the mind tries to move past, and how healing begins when we gently tune back in.

White Light Wellness grew from this understanding: healing happens when the mind, body, and spirit are all given space to be heard. My approach is compassionate, intuitive, and grounded. I’m not here to fix you, but to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your nervous system, your story, and your inner wisdom.

I believe regulation is foundational. When the body feels safe, the heart can open. And when the heart opens, connection—both within and with others—becomes possible.

My approach to therapy is integrative, experiential, and rooted in deep respect for the nervous system and the body’s innate wisdom.

I draw from Polyvagal-informed therapy to support nervous system regulation and co-regulation, helping clients move out of survival states and into a greater sense of safety and connection. My work is grounded in somatic therapy and body awareness, recognizing that healing happens not just through insight, but through felt experience.

I practice through a trauma-informed and attachment-based lens, integrating experiential therapy, parts work, and inner child exploration to gently access and heal protective patterns. Techniques such as bilateral stimulation and mind-body integration support the processing of stored experiences in a safe, supported way.

I also incorporate meditation, breathwork, guided visualization, and sound healing to deepen awareness and create space for regulation and restoration. My work honors the connection between mind, body, and spirit, weaving in psychospiritual integration for those who feel drawn to a more intuitive or meaning-centered path.

At the core, my approach is relational, strengths-based, and grounded in connection. I integrate marriage and family systems thinking, insight-oriented therapy, and values-based work to help clients better understand themselves, their relationships, and the patterns that shape their lives.

This is holistic work—supporting not just symptom relief, but deeper alignment, resilience, and a return to self.

Your first session is a space to slow down, land, and begin getting to know each other. We’ll start by exploring your story—what’s been bringing you in, what you’ve been carrying, and what feels most important right now.

We’ll gently review your history, including past experiences, relationships, and anything that may be impacting your current well-being. I’ll also assess your needs and begin to understand how your nervous system has been functioning—how you respond to stress, overwhelm, and connection.

Together, we’ll explore your supports, strengths, and interests, identifying what’s already helping you and where you may need more care or resources. This isn’t just about what’s “wrong”—it’s about understanding you as a whole person.

We’ll also talk about your goals and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy, so we can begin shaping an approach that feels aligned and supportive.

There’s no pressure to share everything all at once. We move at your pace, creating a foundation of safety, trust, and collaboration.