Kristin Mathes, LCSW
Hi, I'm Kristin
I believe as human beings we all share a deep desire to feel seen and understood, which is why I put relationship and connection at the core of my clinical work. For the past 8 years I have been dedicated to helping adults who are feeling trapped and overwhelmed by symptoms of anxiety, panic, unresolved trauma, and motherhood. Perhaps you've tried traditional talk therapy and find it's not enough. Through a somatic and trauma neuroscience approach to healing, my goal is to help you understand what's happening in your body, reduce your discomfort while rediscover an internal sense of ease, self- trust, and confidence.
When we work towards turning down the internal noise, you will find you have much more capacity for practicing things like healthy boundaries, communication skills, self compassion, and the regulation tools that will help you feel more in control of your mind and body once again.
Specialties
Anxiety
Panic attacks
PTSD and Trauma
Postpartum and motherhood
Self Esteem
Life Transitions
Suicidality and Self Harm
Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Chronic Stress/ Overwhelm
Grief and loss
Therapy Tools + Approaches
Brainspotting: Brainspotting is a focused trauma treatment to help you navigate unresolved trauma living in the body, without the need to retell your whole story.
Somatic Therapy: A body focused therapy that addresses trauma, stress, and mental health by adhering to the mind- body connection.
Somatic Tools: Experiential techniques that incorporate body awareness and sensations as a pathway to releasing stored stress or trauma in our muscles and nervous system.
Eco Therapy: Operates under the belief that much of human distress can stem from a disconnection from the natural world- our roots as humans including natural rythmns, food sources, creativity, and reciprocal relations to the land. Rather than just a backdrop, I engage nature as a part of the therapeutic process through experiential activity, mindfulness, and metaphor to foster insight, reflection, and stress reduction.
Expressive Art Therapy: A sensory based therapy that uses creative process such as painting, music, poetry, writing, movement to process emotion and encourage self discovery.
Psycho-education: Education is powerful tool in healing and it means you become the expert of your own mind and body. I want you to have the information you need to understand your symptoms and how to truly heal.
Professional
Journey
I have spent many years working with adults and adolescents in a variety of mental health settings such as intensive inpatient treatment centers, psychiatric hospital unit, wilderness therapy programs, as well as non profit community based mental health working alongside youth navigating the foster system and resettling immigrant and refugee families. I have spent extensive time living abroad in Japan, China, and Central America widening my understanding of the necessity to bring cultural awareness to every conversation.
Professional Licensure:
License in Clinical Social Work, State of Oregon, USA : L10773
Licence in Clinical Social Work, State of Wisconsin, USA: 13101-123
Education Background:
Master's Degree in Social Work, Portland State University, 2017
Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Social Work, University of Wisconsin -Stevens Point, 2015
Additional Trainings:
Brainspotting Level 1 + 2
Brainspotting with Special Focus on Developmental
Lens Neurofeedback
Trauma Sensitive Yoga
GROUNDSWELL SURF THERAPY ™ Level 1 + 2
HeartMath