meet kristen
individual therapy for young adults // online therapy in hickory, lenoir, morganton, asheville, and across north carolina
i work with young adults who are feeling overwhelmed and confused about how we’re supposed to be an adult in this particular world. i often work with folks new to therapy, or who have had an unpleasant or unhelpful therapy experience in the past. many of my clients are managing anxiety, friendship stress, ADHD, family conflict, or the pressure to “have it all figured out.” others are rebuilding their confidence after a painful breakup, exploring non-traditional relationship structures, or learning to relate to their bodies with more compassion and acceptance.
therapy for teens in asheville
if you’re a parent looking for support for your teenager, you may be noticing that something feels harder for them lately. maybe they seem overwhelmed, anxious, struggling with friendships, or unsure of themselves. sometimes teens have difficulty opening up to the people closest to them, and having a neutral, supportive space can make a big difference.
i work with teens and young adults to help them better understand their emotions, navigate relationships, and build confidence in themselves.
for teen eyes:
you don’t have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. this can be a place where you talk honestly about what’s going on in your life: school stress, friendships, family dynamics, confidence, or anything else that feels important. for the most part, your parents are only a part of your sessions if you want them to be. i will be checking in with them as needed, but you’ll always know when that’s happening, and i protect your privacy unless you're at an immediate risk of hurting yourself.
for parent eyes:
when working with teens, i see therapy as a collaborative process that includes both the teen and their parents. i aim to create a space where teens feel comfortable speaking openly, while also helping parents stay informed and supported.
i typically check in with parents from time to time to share general themes, progress, and ways you can support your teen at home. at the same time, I believe it’s important for teens to have a private space to talk through their thoughts and feelings honestly.
credentials and specialties
i am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW #P018206) with 10+ years of experience. i received my master’s degree in social work from east tennessee state university. my background is in emergency shelter work with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. my specialties now include relationship navigation, trauma recovery, empowerment counseling surrounding body image/self-esteem/identity, and support for managing anxiety and depression. i work with clients in-person in asheville and offer online counseling for clients in hickory, lenoir, morganton, and across north carolina.
relationships have a way of bringing up the biggest questions we have about ourselves. after a breakup or during moments of doubt, it’s common to question your choices, your worth, and what a healthy relationship even looks like. these are some of the questions my clients ask:
-
healthy relationships aren't perfect, but they tend to feel steady and supportive over time. there's respect, honesty, communication, and space for both people to have their own needs, opinions, and identities. conflict happens in every relationship. what matters is how it's handled and whether both people feel valued and heard.
-
there's no universal answer to this question, which is why it can feel so difficult. therapy can help you explore your relationship more clearly, understand what's keeping you stuck, and determine whether the relationship supports your wellbeing, growth, and sense of self over time.
-
breakups can leave people questioning their judgment, especially if the relationship ended unexpectedly or painfully. rebuilding self-trust often starts with small decisions, learning from what happened, and reminding yourself that one relationship does not define your ability to make good choices moving forward.
-
many people find themselves repeating relationship patterns without fully understanding why. familiar dynamics can feel comfortable, even when they're unhealthy. therapy can help you recognize those patterns, understand where they came from, and begin making different choices in future relationships.
-
this feeling often develops when self-worth becomes tied to achievement, approval, productivity, or comparison. no matter how much you accomplish, it can still feel like you're falling short. therapy can help you build a stronger sense of worth that isn't dependent on constantly proving yourself.
-
if your choices have been criticized, questioned, or dismissed in the past, it's understandable that self-trust feels difficult. many people learn to look outside themselves for answers. therapy can help you strengthen your confidence, trust your judgment, and make decisions that feel aligned with your values.
-
confidence often takes a hit after a relationship ends. rebuilding it isn't about pretending you're okay. it's about reconnecting with yourself, rebuilding routines, trying new things, and remembering who you are outside of the relationship. confidence tends to grow through action, not certainty.
-
yes. body acceptance doesn't require loving your appearance every day. for many people, the goal is developing a more respectful and compassionate relationship with their body. therapy can help you move away from constant self-criticism and toward greater acceptance, even if body image remains a work in progress.
faq
-
i work best with teens, young adults, and adults who are questioning their relationships, struggling with self-confidence, or learning to trust themselves again after difficult life experiences. many of my clients are recovering from toxic relationships, navigating breakups, exploring adhd or neurodivergence, working through body image concerns, or simply feeling stuck in the pressure to have everything figured out. therapy focuses on helping you build self-trust, healthier relationships, and a stronger sense of who you are.
-
i am in network with BCBS, Aetna, MedCost, AmBetter, United, Healthy Blue BCBS, Tricare, Carolina Complete/ Wellcare Medicaid, Amerihealth Caritas, and UHC Community.
private pay sessions are billed at $150 per 55 minutes
-
yes. i offer both in person and online therapy monday through friday in asheville, north carolina