Krisja (she/they) is a licensed creative arts therapist and psychotherapist who uses somatic, verbal and visual modalities to engage and empower their couples and group clients. She is an existential, person-centered therapist and a culturally sensitive informed provider. Krisja aims to establish a therapeutic connection with clients while providing a restorative sense of safety and space for free expression. She believes our bodies are our biggest source of information, and helps others to increase their ability to listen to their body signals with intention. Krisja also specializes in LGBTQIA+ dynamics, and has advanced training in LGBTQ+ Affirming Care from the Fenway Institute.Before working in private practice, Krisja worked for 6 years treating clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma and addiction, as well as those in acute states of mental health at Bellevue Hospital Center in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric units. During this time Krisja has also worked extensively with couples and families. Krisja also specializes in couples therapy, utilizing Gottman Method Techniques as well as Emotionally Focused Therapy, to provide a safe space to explore sexual, relational and life challenges. In her graduate work, she completed specific training in polyamory competence. Krisja believes finding meaning, intimacy and friendship is equally as important as resolving conflicts in partnerships. More recently at Bellevue Hospital, Krisja served as the LGBTQ+ liaison for the outpatient substance use clinics and was a primary therapist at the Chemical Dependency Outpatient Program (CDOP). She practices various psychotherapy modalities including mindfulness, harm reduction and safety seeking, and has extensive training in trauma-informed care.Krisja holds a Master’s Degree (MS) from Pratt Institute and is a licensed Creative Arts Therapist and psychotherapist in the state of New York. She is certified in Motivational Interviewing and completed her training through the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Message to clientsIt takes a lot of courage to begin therapy and can be somewhat scary in the beginning. Often when we are placed in environments with intense levels of stress, whether this is from relationship issues, anxiety/depression, addiction or other life situations, we hold pain and trauma deep in our bodies. When we are unable to process and release this from our bodies, we become stuck in patterns that are unhealthy. Somatic therapy integrates the mind and body and uses psychotherapy with body-based interventions for holistic healing. My approach is psychodynamic, and at times, I incorporate somatic awareness into sessions to empower clients to understand that the body is their biggest and most reliable source of information. Our work together may involve purely talk therapy, embodied talk therapy, CBT, DBT, mindfulness techniques, or a combination of these approaches. All of you is welcomed just as you are. Together, we will work collaboratively to enhance your ability to get your needs met, make choices with more awareness, and support yourself through life’s uncertainty. I offer a free phone consultation before beginning therapy!