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Hello! I'm Kris and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and the founder of Village Wellness Center, a thriving group psychotherapy practice based in San Juan Capistrano. I have over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, and I specialize in maternal mental health, depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, and the unique needs of women and mothers.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Sacramento State University and returned to school 15 years later to earn my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology.

The beginning of my career in mental health started in residential care helping at-risk youth, and over the course of 20 years, my work and experience evolved into leading and developing clinical programs for outpatient and court-mandated facilities while also building my specialty in perinatal mood disorders and maternal mental health in my private practice. Additionally over the past two decades, I was raising my family and actively contributing to the Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano communities.

Through my own struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety, I became a passionate advocate for maternal wellness and thriving families. This became the catalyst to opening Village Wellness Center, where the ability to serve entire families and promote holistic mental wellness with a team of therapists can be achieved.

I have a Master's in Counseling and have practiced in the field of mental health for nearly two decades. My experience as a therapist includes extensive training and work in eating disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues, women’s issues, and spirituality. I am licensed in both California (LPCC) and Washington (LMHC), and I’m a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). I also hold a certification in Grief (CGP). I emphasize a whole-person approach to care, considering the full spectrum of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual factors that impact your overall health and well-being.

As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in adult and geriatric care (65+), I provide comprehensive treatment for ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, OCD, personality disorders, PTSD and trauma, schizophrenia and psychosis disorders, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mood disorders, and bipolar conditions. My practice recognizes that mental health needs evolve throughout different stages of adult life.

I'm particularly skilled at helping adults who are discovering mental health conditions they've lived with for years without knowing it, as well as older adults facing the intersection of mental health and aging. Many of my patients are surprised to learn that their lifelong struggles with focus, social situations, or emotional regulation have names and effective treatments available.

My treatment approach is built on respect, patience, and understanding. I know that starting mental health treatment as an adult or older adult can feel intimidating, especially if you've had negative experiences with healthcare in the past. I work to create a comfortable environment where you can share your experiences openly without fear of judgment.

I believe in practical, realistic treatment plans that fit into your actual life. Whether you're working full-time, caring for family members, managing health conditions, or navigating retirement, we'll develop strategies that work for your specific situation. My goal is to help you feel more confident, capable, and satisfied with your daily life while managing any symptoms that interfere with your well-being.

It's never too late to seek support and improve your quality of life. Healing is possible at every age. I'm experienced in medication management for older adults and understand the unique considerations that come with aging and multiple health conditions.

Mental health has long been treated as the forgotten side of healthcare — and for me, that's exactly why it matters so much. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner serving clients across California through telehealth and in-person care, I specialize in helping people navigate depression, anxiety, and ADD/ADHD. I believe that when mental health struggles go unaddressed, everything else in life suffers — and that healing is not only possible, it's necessary. When I'm not supporting my clients, you'll find me out in nature, getting lost in a good movie, or discovering new music — small reminders of the joy and balance I encourage my clients to find for themselves.

I’ve worked as a therapist for the past ten years, helping people untangle their stories and find compassion for the messy, imperfect parts of being human. My own experiences as a client deeply shaped my approach. I bring empathy, warmth, and a genuine understanding of how vulnerable therapy can feel. I work with clients of all ages, from tweens to adults, to build insight, resilience, and self-acceptance. My style is collaborative and grounded in authenticity, humor, and humanity. Above all, I aim to create a space where you can feel understood, supported, and free to explore what healing might look like for you.

I am available to assist with many of the current issues that are affecting us all. Issues os depression, anxiety and PTSD are impacting many. Relationship and communication challenges are problematic. Challenging adolescents and children suffering from ADHD or Learning Disabilities are impacting family life. I can assist you with these common challenges, and help to provide and process solutions.