Kristy has her bachelor’s in social work from Grand Valley State University with a focus on Human Behavior in the Social Environment. Early in her career, Kristy provided psychosocial skills for mentally ill nursing home residents and was a child welfare specialist for 10 years in a non-for-profit foster care agency.

Kristy returned to school in 2009 to pursue a master’s degree in social work with a focus on communities and families. Prior to her current role at Safe Haven Counseling PLLC, Kristy has an extensive background as an LCSW in the hospital setting. She has served as a psychiatric consult liaison in the emergency room, psychotherapist in outpatient intensive treatment program, discharge planner on an inpatient psychiatric unit, and a social work coordinator at a Trauma Level 1 hospital.

As an LCSW, Kristy is passionate about working with individuals in crisis, childhood abuse, substance abuse, substance abuse recovery, healthcare workers and first responders experiencing the effects of PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

Kristy provides counseling for children, adolescents, and adults. Her primary therapy approaches include DBT, narrative therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and motivational interviewing. When working with couples, Kristy teaches couples the art of reflective listening and valuing one’s differences.

Karen completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a concentration in mental health at Governor’s State University, followed by a master’s degree in health sciences & addiction studies at the same university.

Karen obtained her CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor) while working in various roles related to substance abuse and court services. Towards the end of her 24-year career as a Federal Probation Officer, she returned once again to Governor’s State University to earn her Master of Arts in Counseling in 2022.

She currently is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and is actively working towards attaining her LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor). Along the way she has received certification as a trauma professional (CTP).

Throughout her years in the criminal justice system, she has focused primarily on those struggling with substance use and mental health disorders following a period of incarceration. Karen truly believes we are all worth second chances. Both her educational and work experience allows her to work with individuals from a wide array of backgrounds, as well as a variety of issues including mental health, substance use disorders, stress management, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and is knowledgeable in the culture of first responders.

Karen believes the therapeutic relationship is honest, open, and non-judgmental. Her primary theoretical approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy; and use techniques from Attachment-Based Therapy and Internal Family Systems.

As someone who made a major career change “later in life,” Karen firmly believes “you’re never too old and it’s never too late” to make a change. We are all worth
it!

“It’s never too late for a new beginning in your life.” Joyce Meyer