About Me

Sometimes we find ourselves feeling depressed from our past, anxious about our future, and unable to live in the present. This was me for the majority of my younger adult life, struggling to get through each day. I was riddled with anxiety, unhappy with how my life was going and found myself repeating unhealthy patterns. To be present in the moment was an impossible task and to try to change my life-path felt daunting.

Tired of making choices that were not benefiting my future self, I decided to seek help. Once I committed to doing the work, I was able to begin peeling away those layers of negative experiences that were weighing me down. I started to connect and understand the patterns of learned behavior that affected me both as a child and into adulthood. Through my healing process I was able to begin creating positive changes in my life, finally finding freedom from those tangled roots of my past. I learned how to nurture and grow those relationships that aligned with my morals and values, and were supportive and wholesome. I also learned how to let go of the superficial relationships that did not support me in a positive way. Through the help of a great therapist I had finally discovered my unapologetically authentic self. It felt so great I wanted to empower others to do the same, so I became a counselor.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, earned from Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas. I bring a wealth of training and expertise to my practice including complex trauma training, EMDR Therapy training, DBT training, certification in Gender-Affirming Mental Health Assessments, and recognition as a Nationally Certified Counselor by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

I strive to provide a non-judgmental space that is culturally sensitive, allowing you to explore those deeper layers which create your unique self, whatever that may look like. My hope for you is to begin to heal so you can untangle the messiness of life and find more balance within your mind and body, discovering your inner peace, and creating more pleasure into your life. Let’s embark on this journey together, working towards becoming the best version of yourself!

Specialization and Focus

Trauma-informed care is at the core of my practice, helping those who have experienced childhood trauma, domestic abuse, or other complex trauma.

Being affirmative therapy trained, I am passionate about working with individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community who are dealing with challenges related to gender and sexual orientation. I also enjoy working with neurodivergent individuals looking for support for concerns like ADHD, highly sensitive, social anxiety, sensory processing, OCD, BPD, and bipolar disorder. And as a mother of two adult children, I certainly understand the struggles, fears, and worries that both pregnancy, parenthood, and empty nesting bring and can provide support surrounding these issues, along with other life transitions.

Therapeutic Approach

My holistic approach involves trauma-informed care, utilizing a combination of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Somatic Therapy techniques, and traditional talk therapy. Together, we will create a tailored plan of action to help you unlock your full potential. I firmly believe in a collaborative therapeutic approach, ensuring we customize the methods to suit your unique needs.

When I’m out in the wild

I find joy in spending time in nature with my partner and our three dogs, especially since we are new to the Pacific Northwest! There is so much to explore here and I love learning about new places to go. Coffee has also become sort of a "hobby" of mine and I am always searching for that perfectly roasted coffee bean. If you have a favorite roaster, share it with me! No matter how busy life gets, I believe we should always make room for a good cup of coffee with a friend.

Kris Williams MS, LMHCA, NCC

she/her/hers

Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

Texas State Licensed Professional Counselor, Associate -under the supervision of Amanda Esquivel

National Certified Counselor

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