Everyone’s heart has been broken in one way or another. No one gets through this life entirely intact. We put the pieces back together over and over again, and the repaired cracks make us unique, beautiful, and stronger at the broken places.
I'll hold space when you need a safe, quiet container, and I'll be compassionate and honest when you want a reflection. You are the expert when it comes to you, and I'll offer help to co-create a path to your goals. I'm not here to tell you what's "wrong" with you but instead, to explore what you've experienced and how you've survived.
I'm an Independent Social Worker, licensed in the state of Ohio with certificates in trauma and resilience and trauma responsive care as well as a deep knowledge of how trauma impacts the physical body and brain. I've also completed a certificate in Eco-psychology, so if you find healing in nature we'll get along great!
My background includes many years in direct care and case management for people with developmental disabilities, intensive family counseling, medical social work, and hospice/community bereavement counseling. My passions include experiential approaches such as Adventure Therapy and Eco-therapy. Positive psychology is embedded in my approach, shifting focus from problem to solution when you feel ready.
I look forward to meeting you and to honoring the stories you share. :)
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Depression, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended family issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Intellectual disability, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Phobias, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
OH LISW I.2102872-SUPV
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Kristen Hicks. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Kristen is extremely professional and attentive. She took the time to get an understanding of who I am and help me find solutions to my mental health struggles both through my focus lens and her own professional focus lens. She truly cares and no minute in session ever goes wasted. Thanks Kristen!
Written on Jan 31, 2022 after therapy with Kristen for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Kristen challenges me when there is a conversation to be had and listens actively when I need to ramble. She is wonderful
Written on Jan 06, 2022 after therapy with Kristen for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and compassion fatigue
I’ve only had two sessions with her but she is great. I’ve gotten more out of those sessions than I did going for months to someone else. She has been very helpful.
Written on Dec 07, 2021 after therapy with Kristen for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, coping with life changes, adhd, anger management, and intimacy-related issues
She is definitely a great therapist with sympathy. She can always ways to comfort me and feel what I feel. She is always patient when she is listening to me. I will definitely recommend seeing her if you have anxiety issues!
Written on Nov 14, 2021 after therapy with Kristen for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, and stress, anxiety
Kristen is a great, I really don't know how else to say it. Great listener who can read between the tangents. Her advice and tools have changed how I approach situations and direct my emotions, while also taking responsibility for them in a healthier manner. I would recommend her to any one.
Written on Aug 22, 2021 after therapy with Kristen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and anger management
Kristen Hicks is a wonderful counselor to work with so far. She definitely shows her experience as a counselor and knowledge of trauma during our sessions. She's very pleasant to work with, and makes me feel very safe. I'd recommend her to anyone!
Written on Jul 21, 2021 after therapy with Kristen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, and self esteem