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A Fractal of My Experience

An Eco-therapist

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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

About Krista: About
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