Hi, I’m Krisja, she/they. I’m a licensed creative arts therapist and psychotherapist and I work with couples and groups across the sexuality spectrum. My aim is to help folks connect with their bodies so that they can connect with themselves and each other in more satisfaction and joy.

“I empower couples and group members to understand how they exist in their bodies and how their bodies exist in the world, leading to a greater sense of safety and awareness.”

I believe our bodies are our biggest source of information and that this awareness can help you and your partner(s) increase your ability to have a larger repertoire of experience with each other.

What does therapy with me look like?

As a somatic psychotherapist, I am a strong advocate of the power and immediacy of even the subtlest of our movements as a way to inform more connection and better communication. This doesn't mean that you have to leave your chair to do therapy with me (but you can if you want to). Even when we are still, there are micro movements happening all the time that house decades of our stories. I aim to establish a therapeutic connection with clients while providing a restorative sense of safety and space for free expression. I also specialize in LGBTQIA+ dynamics and have advanced training in LGBTQ+ Affirming Care from the Fenway Institute.

Who I work with:

I work with adults in couples and groups. Please go here for a current listing of my groups: https://www.creativenowtherapy.com/group-therapy.html

My identities:

I’m queer-identifying, I'm a dancer and choreographer, I'm an existentialist, a person-centered therapist, and a culturally sensitive informed provider.

Before joining Creative Now Therapy:

I worked for 6 years treating clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, and addiction, as well as those in acute states of mental health in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric units. During this time I has also worked extensively with couples and families. More recently at Bellevue Hospital, I served as the LGBTQ+ liaison for the outpatient substance use clinics and was a primary therapist at the Chemical Dependency Outpatient Program (CDOP). I practice various psychotherapy modalities including mindfulness, harm reduction and safety seeking, and I have extensive training in trauma-informed care.

Training / Education:

I hold a Master’s Degree (MS) from Pratt Institute and I'm a licensed Creative Arts Therapist and psychotherapist in the state of New York. I am also certified in Motivational Interviewing and completed this training through the New York State Psychiatric Institute. I specialize in couples therapy, utilizing Gottman Method Techniques as well as Emotionally Focused Therapy, to provide a safe space to explore sexual, relational and life challenges. In my master’s program I did specific training in polyamory competence. Prior to my career as a psychotherapist, I was a key advocate in the 2009 Health Care Reform. With Nancy Pelosi, I led a press conference giving testimony in support of raising funds for Health Care to young adults. During this time I also met with legislators and members of congress as an advocate of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America to encourage and promote sponsorship of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research and Awareness Act: H.R. 2275. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Dance and Choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2004 and I continue to choreograph in my free time.

To schedule a consultation or session, please reach out to Krisja at: krisja@creativenowtherapy.com