A Fractal of My Experience

Hi! I'm Krista (Krista/She/They)! I am a 37 year old White Queer Femme, with a blended life experience between San Francisco, CA and South-Central Texas. Professionally, I have worked with youth and families for over 25 years; providing psychotherapy for over 6 years to youth, ages 5 to 24, and their families. I have facilitated groups of varying types for over 15 years. In 2009, I graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy from Texas State University and I gained an M.S. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy and emphasis on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in 2016 from the University of San Francisco. In 2018, I earned additional certification in Ecopsychology from the Holos Institute that serves as a foundation in ecological systems and provides a more holistic, integrated focus of mental health which includes our relationship to the natural world. In 2020, I earned a Trauma Informed System's Specialist Certificate to enhance my understanding of the impact of trauma and potential for post-traumatic growth across all relationships including manmade ecological systems. 

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My Relational and Growth-Centered approach is primarily rooted in Social-Ecology, Family Systems and Community well-being. Into my CBT foundation, I integrate a variety of Depth and Person-Centered therapeutic theories and evidence-based interventions to support the growth and well-being of my clients and their community. Aligning with values such as justice and inclusion, I am passionate about re-designing industrialized spaces through decolonizing acts.  Eco-therapy empowers us to build relationship and resilience with our identity and environment. I am a licensed MFT (LMFT #120058) and in good standing with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and an active member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). 

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When I was a child, I had the clear insight that I was misunderstood. Not only was I misunderstood, I knew there was a lot I couldn't understand without asking clear and assertive questions. However I often was silenced or silenced myself-limiting my emergence to spaces that were logical – libraries, academia, and leadership. This temperament to seek answers in logic mixed with my inherent privilege has taken me on a winding curious journey that got me in just enough trouble and has lead me to become a Social Ecologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In Middle Adulthood, I have shifted my drive and exploration to more somatic and natural opportunities for growth and my early scientific years are the engine. From over 25 years as a Nanny-Babysitter to supporting youth, families, and leaders in the San Francisco Juvenile Probation-Foster Care Mental Health Sector, to community organizing. Here I am: An Eco-therapist.

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Eco-Therapy: The practice of engaging nature’s inherent growth capacity. This growth extends past the juman organism, to include the ecosystems and processes in which humans live and upon which they depend.

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I knew from my nannying days that jumans are most open to growth in the outdoors. Prior to grad school and thanks to being the daughter of a science teacher, I used a lens of ecology and exposure to natural systems as a way of digesting my early and book-heavy parts of this journey.

This ecological lens has allowed an understanding of the "Sweet and Crunchy" intersections of life including their relationships to power, privilege, oppression, reciprocity, and grace. 

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Reach out if you think we would be a good fit.