Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Studio City, CA covered by Aetna

I specialize in working with adults experiencing burnout, chronic stress/anxiety, trauma, and neurodivergence. As a neurodivergent therapist who has navigated my own experiences with burnout, I understand how exhausting it can be to constantly feel "on" for everyone else. I’m especially passionate about supporting helping professionals, caregivers, and high-achieving folks who spend so much energy caring for others that they forget to care for themselves. I also bring my full personality into the therapy room (including humor, authenticity, and the occasional slightly twisted joke) when the moment calls for it.

I have been in the psychology field for over 20 years. I have an extensive background treating public safety, military, hospital personnel and there families for trauma, work related stressors and family issues. I have treated people who have survived trauma and I am also a trauma survivor. I have worked substance abuse treatment facilities and both inpatient and out patient psychiatric hospitals treating moderate to severe mental heath problems.

I am experienced in conducting diagnostic testing evaluations, fitness for work and pre-employment evaluations. I am a court recognized expert in a few different areas.

Due to my time practicing and vast experience nothing suprises me. I have seen, heard or dealt with most things in the this field. You cannot put a price tag on experience. I have also lived life and have experienced many things myself that clients come into my office wanting help with. I don't know about you but I like getting help from those that have treated the issues in the past or have gone through it themselves versus those that have read about it in books.

I specialize in EMDR therapy for trauma, PTSD, and anxiety related to chronic stress and difficult life experiences. I work with adults seeking lasting relief from trauma symptoms, including first responders and individuals recovering from overwhelming or life-changing events.

I work with adolescents and adults and offer individual, couples, and family therapy. I help individuals identify their goals and make the changes necessary to help them lead more productive and fulfilling lives. I am directive, and I provide a warm, caring and non-judgmental environment to explore the issues and life-events with which you may be struggling.

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.

The focus is to help individuals heal, energize, and become aware of their inner strengths. I achieve this by providing a neutral safe space, listening to your concerns, and customizing a treatment plan. I help individuals focus on the Solution.

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. You may be struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, grief, depression, or experiences from the past that continue to affect your present. Perhaps you find yourself reacting in ways that don't make sense, feeling disconnected from others, or carrying burdens that have followed you for years.

I believe that symptoms often make sense when we understand the story behind them.

For nearly 20 years, I have worked as a psychotherapist helping children, adolescents, adults, and families heal, strengthen relationships, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. My experience includes working in private practice, schools, pediatric healthcare settings, and community mental health programs. I also taught graduate students in counseling and family therapy programs, helping train the next generation of therapists.