Who Am I?

Hello! I’m Kristen McLaughlin (she/her/hers). I am a cisgender, heterosexual, Caucasian woman. I am a proud Irish-American, and live life in a larger body. I’ve worked in the mental health field for over a decade, gaining experience helping kids, teens, and adults recover from trauma, manage their mental health diagnoses, learn healthier ways to cope, and ultimately regain power over their lives.

I love working with:

• Kids, teens, and adults who can’t seem to stop worrying or stressing

• Young adults who are coming into adulthood and realizing they need help (e.g., graduating high school, joining the workforce, going to college, finding their identity)

• Kids, teens, and adults who are struggling with time management or executive functioning issues such as ADHD

• Teens and adults who want to move through trauma and find their new normal

• Teens and adults who have used drugs or alcohol and are ready to make a change in their use, or are navigating sobriety

How I Help

We all encounter rough times, and it’s an amazing thing to reach out to a therapist for help in working towards your goals. As a therapist, I want to help you identify, understand, and realize your strengths - yes, you have them! I challenge you to tap into your strengths, reinforce your natural resilience, and support you through the whole process. I will work with you to create your unique skillset to get through hard times, and hold you accountable to doing the things that have to be done to rise to your life’s unique challenges.

What it’s like in a session with me

In our sessions, you can relax, knowing that you will never have to worry about masking or impressing me. I show up as my genuine self, and encourage my clients to do the same. I create a space where you can feel comfortable sharing about literally anything - I am always here to hear you out, non-judgmentally and compassionately.

We will work together to create a plan for your care that meets your needs and incorporates your personal goals. If you have no idea where to start, that’s okay! That’s common, and what I’m here for - we will figure it out together.

More about me

When I am not at work, I absolutely love to get lost in reading. I even read multiple at a time! I enjoy being in the sun and swimming, walking and listening to all kinds of music. I'm a true crime nerd and will binge watch documentaries! I love spending time with my mother, two nieces and older sister. We love to go to Waldameer, play at the park and skate to the music at the skate rink!

"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”

-Carl Jung