About Me
Sometimes we find ourselves weighed down by the past, anxious about the future, and completely disconnected from the present. This used to be me. I pushed through each day with a forced smile, hoping no one would notice the turmoil underneath. I was consumed by anxiety, unhappy with the direction of my life, and repeating relationship patterns I didn't yet understand.
For a while, masking helped me get by. Eventually, it only deepened the disconnection. I reached a point where I knew something had to change, and I sought the guidance of a therapist.
Through therapy, I began peeling back layers of pain and protective patterns that had quietly been running the show for years. I came to understand the roots of my fearful-avoidant attachment style and how adverse childhood experiences had shaped the way I connected with others. I learned to separate old survival strategies from what I actually needed: connection, safety, and trust in myself.
As I began trusting my intuition and accepting who I truly was rather than who others expected me to be, my life changed. I built relationships that aligned with my values, let go of those that didn't, and began living as my unapologetically authentic self.
That transformation ultimately led me here.
Today, I have the privilege of helping others understand the patterns that once helped them survive but may now be keeping them stuck. My approach to therapy goes beyond simply managing symptoms. Together, we get curious about what is happening beneath them: the experiences that shaped you, the protective responses your nervous system learned, the relationships that influenced how you see yourself, and the patterns you may still be carrying long after you needed them.
I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from East Texas A&M University and am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. I am trained in EMDR Therapy through EMDRIA and Somatic Experiencing® through the Somatic Experiencing International Institute, with advanced training and experience in complex trauma, attachment injuries, and nervous system regulation.
My work is trauma-informed, attachment-focused, and grounded in the understanding that healing involves more than insight alone. Sometimes we need to understand our story. Sometimes we need to work with what the body is still holding. Often, we need both.
In our work together, you won't be expected to show up as a polished version of yourself. You can bring the anxiety, the overthinking, the complicated relationships, the old wounds, the parts of yourself you don't quite understand yet, and even the things you've been afraid to say out loud. We'll make room for all of it with curiosity rather than judgment.
Because the goal isn't to become someone else.
It's to understand what shaped you, reconnect with who you are underneath the adaptations, and create a life that feels more authentic, connected, and genuinely yours.


Kris Williams MS, LMHC, LPC, NCC
she/her/hers
Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor
License #LH61634414
Colorado Licensed Professional Counselor
License #0022258
Texas Licensed Professional Counselor
License #92679
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When I’m out in the wild
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me outside with my partner and our three dogs, exploring the trails and wild places of the Pacific Northwest. Being in nature is where I feel most grounded and most like myself, whether we’re heading somewhere new or simply exploring the trails near our home.
I’m also a serious coffee person. I love discovering new roasters, experimenting with my espresso setup, and finding a really good local coffee shop. If you know a trail I shouldn’t miss or a coffee I need to try, I’m always happy to hear about it.
Contact Information
Kris@balancedrootscounseling.com
(360) 389-2048
© 2026, Balanced Roots Counseling, PLLC, All rights reserved.
Kris Williams, MS, LMHC, LPC, NCC



Typical Availability (Pacific Standard Time)
Monday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday–Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.


