Kristen is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She obtained her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Alberta and pursued her Masters in Counselling through Athabasca University. She has been practicing as a Mental Health Therapist for 4 years and has accumulated 8+ years of experience with helping children, adolescents, adults, couples, parents, seniors, and families, who struggle with mental health issues, attachment, relationships, and trauma.

Kristen has extensive experience in the mental health field prior to becoming a Registered Provisional Psychologist through her work experience as a child and youth care worker in an Intensive Therapy Treatment Facility for children and youth with trauma and attachment issues. Since becoming a Certified Canadian Counsellor and a Registered Provisional Psychologist, Kristen has worked as a community-based mental health therapist through the Family Centre in Edmonton, where she has worked in Edmonton Public Schools, Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton, and facilitated Healthy Relationships group for men. She currently provides psychological services, mental health workshops, and speaking engagements to various agencies and companies through her private practice in St. Albert.

Kristen is trained in numerous modalities including cognitive behavioural therapy, family systems, emotionally-focused therapy, solution-focused therapy, narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, trauma-informed therapy, and utilizes various evidence-based psychotherapy techniques such as somatic experiencing, mindfulness, play and art therapeutic activities. She takes on a client-centred approach within her practice that emphasizes collaborative work with her clients. Currently, Kristen is passionate about working with various population who are struggling with trauma, attachment issues, multicultural issues, relationship issues, as well as identity issues. Kristen is culturally sensitive in her practice, and she is able to provide therapy in her native language, Tagalog, and English.

Outside her work as a therapist, Kristen is passionate about physical fitness as she enjoys hiking, cycling, kickboxing, yoga, bootcamp, and traveling to new places. She also enjoys baking, cooking, traveling, and playing with her son. She tends to spend a lot of time expressing herself creatively through music, dancing, and creating mental health content on instagram. You can follow her @theoptimistictherapist on instagram where she shares a wholistic approach to mental health and wellness.

Kristen is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She o... Read More