Kristen Rife

My name is Kristen Rife, and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate life's challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and self-compassion. I believe therapy should be a collaborative process where you feel heard, understood, and supported—not judged.

I earned my Master's degree in Forensic Psychology and have experience working with adolescents, adults, and couples in a variety of settings. Throughout my career, I have helped clients address concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, grief, OCD, self-esteem struggles, and stress management.

My approach is warm, practical, and evidence-based. I draw from a variety of treatment modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, and Gottman Method interventions for couples. Together, we will identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck, build effective coping skills, and work toward meaningful, lasting change.

I believe the therapeutic relationship itself is one of the most powerful tools for growth. I strive to create a genuine, authentic connection with my clients while also challenging them when needed. I frequently use humor in session to help clients feel comfortable, gain perspective, and approach difficult topics in a way that feels manageable. While therapy can involve serious work, I believe healing doesn't always have to happen in a heavy or intimidating environment.

During our first session, my goal is to get to know you and understand what brings you to therapy. We'll discuss your current concerns, relevant history, relationships, strengths, and what you hope to gain from the counseling process. I view the first session as a conversation rather than an interrogation, and there is no pressure to share more than you feel comfortable discussing.