About

 While possessing a strong skill set in evidence-based practices is crucial for a therapist, I believe that the ability to respond authentically to individuals is the key to meeting their needs effectively. 

With 18 years of experience as a mental health counselor, I have discovered that the only consistent elements in life are challenges and support—the good and bad of any situation. While my academic training laid the groundwork, my personal experiences were the real architects of my journey. My experiences gave me pivotal moments to ask difficult questions about myself and my life, challenge external expectations, and lead me to find information to make sense of my life. This sparked more diving into the human brain, attachment styles, and nervous system (interpersonal neurobiology) and my excitement about PACT therapy evolved to offer insight to people in reference to any pair bonds (parents and children, siblings, friends, couples).

I am passionate about brain science, the intricacies of relationships, and the psychology of fear—understanding its purpose and the opportunities it presents when approached with curiosity and insight. I believe that myths about relationships often hinder our growth and obscure the lessons they offer. Relationships—whether in the workplace, with parents, with children, in couples, or among friends—are dynamic and intended to evolve over time. I welcome the challenging emotions that arise in these contexts, understanding that conflict is often essential for growth. After all, nothing grows without friction. 

My most significant training comes from my roles as a Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend, Student-Athlete, Psychotherapist, and Entrepreneur. My highest priority is my commitment to being a wife to Jeff and a devoted mother to Tahlia and Kalan.

Kris is a National Certified Counselor and holds a Nebraska License for Independent Mental Health and an Iowa Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Kris is a Level 2 PACT Trained Therapist using neuroscience, attachment theory, and the biology of human arousal.  Currently the only trained PACT therapist in Nebraska. Kris is a member of American Counseling Association and Nebraska Counseling Association. 

Kris attended University of Nebraska at Kearney where got a Masters Degree in Community Counseling. Kris has been studying inter-personal neurobiology concepts and human development concepts since 2012 and pulls from this information daily. Kris is experienced and well-versed in Play Therapy models including Synergetic Play Therapy. Other modalities that Kris has training in includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness based therapy, and Somatic based therapy. Kris is certified in specific evidence based practices Parent Child Interaction Therapy and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, she is trained in Child Parent Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Kris is currently studying Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Kris has 18 plus years experience in treating mental health concerns for all ages in a variety of settings. She has worked in hospital based systems (adolescent and adult partial care, inpatient care, intensive outpatient care), Outpatient Care Systems, Pediatric Clinics, and Public School Systems. Kris has grown three different businesses over the course of her professional experience. Prior to becoming a Mental Health Therapist, Kris has 8 plus years of collaborative experience working with families in home, working with individuals in crisis (dispatching for 911 Services) coaching, day camps, and personal development camps with teen girls.

Kris has facilitated multiple trainings to an array of populations. Included in this has been trainings for professionals handling stress and burnout, trainings to professionals to manage self harm in their clients, topics regarding mother-daughter relationships, teen girl development groups, trauma informed presentations to community partners and school personnel, and child behavior trainings. Kris has run dialectical behavior therapy groups, inpatient groups, Drug and Alcohol Intensive Outpatient Groups, and has created an intensive outpatient group for adolescents in private practice. Kris has provided professionals and graduate students looking for continuing education hours trainings in the area of child behaviors, trauma informed care, and adolescent development areas. 

Kris is a Level I Train the Trainer for other Licensed Mental Health Therapists that wish to pursue certification in the evidence based model of Parent Child Interaction Therapy. Kris has done clinical supervision with other Mental Health Practitioners, Master Level Students for Practicum and Internship experiences, and often facilitates career and human development speeches and job shadowing for High School Students. Promoting Mental Health and Public Health to students is a value of Child and Family Therapy Institute.