Kristina Smith

Hello! I'm Kris and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and the founder of Village Wellness Center, a thriving group psychotherapy practice based in San Juan Capistrano. I have over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, and I specialize in maternal mental health, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the unique needs of women and mothers.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Sacramento State University and returned to school 15 years later to earn my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology.

The beginning of my career in mental health started in residential care helping at-risk youth, and over the course of 20 years, my work and experience evolved into leading and developing clinical programs for outpatient and court-mandated facilities while also building my specialty in perinatal mood disorders and maternal mental health in my private practice. Additionally over the past two decades, I was raising my family and actively contributing to the Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano communities.

Through my own struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, I became a passionate advocate for maternal wellness and thriving families. This became the catalyst to opening Village Wellness Center, where the ability to serve entire families and promote holistic mental wellness with a team of therapists can be achieved.

My clinical approach is relational at heart. I believe in the healing power of conversation—of telling our stories and truly being heard. When we share our lived experiences with someone who listens with empathy and without judgment, we begin to feel safe, understood, and connected. Sometimes that healing connection is found in words, and sometimes it's found in the quiet space between them.

I view therapy as a collaborative partnership. While I bring years of clinical experience to our work, I also deeply respect that you are the expert on your own life. My role is to walk alongside you, offering guidance, insight, and support as we explore the challenges you’re facing and the goals you hope to achieve.

I use an eclectic, client-centered approach that allows me to tailor our work to your unique needs, personality, and life circumstances. Drawing from a range of therapeutic models and techniques, I strive to meet you where you are—with flexibility, compassion, and intention. Whether we’re navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, life transitions, or the complexities of motherhood, our work will always honor your individuality and lived experience.

My goal is to create a therapeutic space that feels grounding and empowering—where you can grow, heal, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that may have been overlooked, silenced, or forgotten.

In our work together, you can expect to feel truly seen, heard, and supported. My goal is to help you gain greater clarity, confidence, and connection—with yourself and with those around you. Through our partnership, you’ll develop deeper self-awareness, learn tools to navigate life’s challenges, and find new ways to cope, grow, and thrive. Most importantly, you'll leave with a stronger sense of who you are and what you're truly capable of.