Kristen Moses, LICSW
(She/Her)

Approach

I strongly believe that you are the expert on You and should be in control of your treatment and personal goals. I see my role as a trusted resource who walks beside you to offer guidance and support along the way. I utilize a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, strengths-based approach with an understanding that we all have survival instincts to help us navigate life’s challenges and nothing we do is without good reason. Even the most unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors are rooted in a desire to survive and show how resilient people are when experiences have been overwhelming. Sometimes we just need help finding healthy coping skills to replace the unhealthy skills we’ve outgrown. 

I have a gift for seeing patterns and solving puzzles, which I’ve found to be a helpful tool in working with clients who want to better understand themselves and their behavioral patterns. Sometimes I may offer psychoeducation, reflection, regulation skills, or creative problem-solving tools, but I often find it’s best to just listen for what you might need in the moment. I appreciate anytime I am allowed an opportunity to learn from my clients, so your input and feedback are vital to the collaborative therapeutic process. I recognize trust is not given, but earned, and I hold my responsibility in earning your trust in the highest regard. 

Interests & Experience

I have provided therapeutic services for adolescents, adults and families in an outpatient setting, and have worked extensively in a residential treatment setting with adolescents and their families, who’ve experienced complex, developmental trauma, and have needed support through some of life’s most challenging transitions. Working in an intensive residential treatment program (IRTP), I specialized in providing trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, family reunification, and case management. The adolescent years are some of the most difficult years to navigate for the youth and for the families that support them. Working with this population and their families has been where my heart lies, and where I have found my greatest sense of purpose. I find that much of what I’ve learned working with adolescents is crucial to understanding many of the challenges we face as adults through all of life’s developmental stages. 

I am excited to work with all genders from adolescents (13+) through adulthood (up to 65). I have developed a passion and sensitivity for helping clients who have experienced symptoms of PTSD/trauma, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), depression, anxiety, psychosis, and neurodivergence, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  I am especially passionate about working with clients who have received a late diagnosis of ADHD and want to understand more about how this has shaped their identity and sense of self, while also developing skills to navigate the challenges of executive dysfunction. I, also, enjoy supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community who may be struggling with identity issues, relationship dynamics (family or romantic partners), or any life stressors that may feel overwhelming. Throughout my professional development and working with complex trauma cases, I’ve incorporated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

About Me

I earned my Masters of Social Work degree from the Boston University School of Social Work and my Bachelors in Psychology from Mount Washington College. I spent the first half of my career working in the corporate world before making a mid-life career change to pursue my calling as a Clinical Social Worker. Although I’ve  always known this was what I was meant to do with my life, I chose to set my personal goals aside and prioritize my role as mother and provider for my family. Now that my kids are grown adults, I’ve devoted this next stage of my life to developing and strengthening my gifts as a therapist and counselor.

My life experiences to this point have helped enrich and inform my work as a therapist, and my professional development has enhanced my understanding of myself and of my community of family and friends. I strive for a work-life balance, which means taking time to explore my creative side, including painting, drawing, crafts and puzzles. My happiest moments are spent laughing with friends and family, spending quality time with my husband, cuddling with my dog, or enjoying some alone-time in nature. I feel most at peace in the world when I disconnect from technology and go on a hike or casual bike ride through the woods. I’ve recently started traveling more, and have enjoyed exploring new countries, new states, new trails, and new experiences.