MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Kirsten Kell, MFT
I have been described as approachable, pragmatic and directive. My belief is that every relationship has its own unique challenges. Each of us enters into a relationship with our learning and programming from childhood and previous relationships that influence how we show up in our present day relationship. Who you are and who your partner is are the ingredients that dictate what your problems will be. I don’t think there is a relationship without problems. The challenge you can choose to rise to is addressing the problems in the relationship you’re in.
My job as a couples therapist is to support you both in understanding who you are, expressing effectively what you want, and being able to be responsive to what your partner wants. When you each do this you will be able to address the problems that will come up between you.
"Choose your partner choose your problems"
Daniel B. Wile, Ph.D.
My Personal Approach
My style tends to be more interactive and directive. I have trained in many approaches to couples therapy and pull from different ones based on the needs and preferences of the couples with whom I work.
I use a variety of techniques including (Click to read more):
- Relational Life Therapy
- Developmental Model
- Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Assessing and Treating Sex Issues in Psychotherapy
- Internal Family Systems
- The Gottman Method
- Imago Therapy
It is important for progress to be made that you be comfortable with me and with my style. If you have any questions or requests, please bring them up in session. Our work should be collaborative and requires your full open and honest participation. The more you put into the work the more progress and growth you will experience.
The Growth Spiral
The image of the spiral in the nautilus shell represents the journey of growth and change. Many people get discouraged when they believe they have grown and changed in an effective and adaptive way and then several years later they find themselves faced with the same problem they thought they had already dealt with.
I see the problem as a straight line across your spiral path. We all have certain issues that due to our personality traits or our experiences will cause us more problems than other issues. It is not uncommon that these same problem issues will reoccur but the idea in growing through change is that this simply means you have outgrown your previous adaptations and you are ready for more growth and more change.
Life requires change. When you stop changing you stop growing. We as human beings excel at adapting to changing circumstances. My desire is to help you on your journey to change in the most effective and adaptive ways possible.
Memberships & certificates
