Where she studied:
Bachelor of Arts: Arts & Humanities
– University of Michigan
Bachelor of Science: Human Development & Family Studies
– University of Michigan
Master of Social Work
– University of Michigan
What she does at Pietruck Therapy Services
Psychotherapist
Location:
Ann Arbor & Virtual
Contact:
If you weren’t a mental health professional, what would you be doing?
I really enjoy planning vacations, traveling, and learning about the world, so I would love to do something in regard to travel planning, whatever that may be.
Do you have any secret talents?
I’ve been playing piano since I was five years old and violin since I was seven.
What is your favorite place?
The two places most dear to me are the Finger Lakes region of New York, and The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. The former is one of my favorite spots to visit with my husband, and the latter is the most visited place by my family growing up.
What is your “feel good” song?
Pretty much every song from the movie musicals “Mamma Mia” (one and two). “What a Feeling” by Irene Cara from FlashDance will also always put a smile on my face.
Other than mental health, what is something you’re passionate about?
I really enjoy traveling and outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, and swimming! Growing up, my family and I made it a point to travel to all 48 continental states via road trips, and we have been to over 30 national parks together. In the future, I want to increase those numbers and continue to travel to different places to experience different cultures and different groups of people.
Who is your ideal client?
“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up”. -Brene Brown. I believe it is the privilege of the therapist to be a partner through each client’s journey of personal growth, and any client who has the strength and vulnerability to walk in that door every week is an ideal client.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I love learning about people and learning new things. Something that is unique about this profession is the lifelong learning, often happening through your clients themselves. Having the ability to create a quiet, safe, nonjudgmental and supportive space to assist clients in facilitating their own change, growth, and success is a really beautiful thing in which to be involved.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all source of intervention. Every therapist has a different approach, and it is our goal as providers to help clients find the solution that works for them in times of distress. Although we are in the healing journey together, the client is in the driver’s seat and is the expert of their own lives. Everyone can benefit from therapy, especially with the right fit of provider.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
Although as providers we attempt to be the best fit possible for each person who walks into our offices, each provider has a different personality, style, and is informed more heavily by different treatment modalities. The most important part of therapeutic intervention is the relationship between the client and the therapist, and through knowing that, I strive to build trust and an authentic relationship with my clients. I work hard to create a safe, supportive, and flexible environment, where the client is truly in the driver’s seat to discuss whatever is needed to be worked on that in that given moment. I will serve as a vault, sit and assist you with processing difficult feelings, delight in your successes, and laugh with you in the lighter times throughout treatment.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
I believe success is completely defined by the client and what feels like a success in their own personal life. I strive to remind my clients that success can look different each day. Some days, working hard and making tangible progress towards goals is absolutely a “success”, and other days, simply showing up is success itself.
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
I am thankful to be a provider during the time of a switch to an overall more positive outlook regarding mental health services, but I understand we still have a long way to go in reducing barriers to mental health treatment, one of which being “stigma”. Having a desire to attend therapy does not mean something is “wrong” with you or necessarily even needs to be fixed. Attending therapy can be powerful in a way to understand yourself more to increase happiness in life and relationships, most importantly the relationship you have with yourself.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all source of intervention. Every therapist has a different approach, and it is our goal as providers to help clients find the solution that works for them in times of distress. Although we are in the healing journey together, the client is in the driver’s seat and is the expert of their own lives. Everyone can benefit from therapy, especially with the right fit of provider.
Populations:
Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Adults & Families
Treatment Modalities:
Professional Specializations
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Arts: Arts & Humanities
– University of Michigan
Bachelor of Science: Human Development & Family Studies
– University of Michigan
Master of Social Work
– University of Michigan
What she does at Pietruck Therapy Services
Psychotherapist
Location:
Ann Arbor & Virtual
Contact:
If you weren’t a mental health professional, what would you be doing?
I really enjoy planning vacations, traveling, and learning about the world, so I would love to do something in regard to travel planning, whatever that may be.
Do you have any secret talents?
I’ve been playing piano since I was five years old and violin since I was seven.
What is your favorite place?
The two places most dear to me are the Finger Lakes region of New York, and The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. The former is one of my favorite spots to visit with my husband, and the latter is the most visited place by my family growing up.
What is your “feel good” song?
Pretty much every song from the movie musicals “Mamma Mia” (one and two). “What a Feeling” by Irene Cara from FlashDance will also always put a smile on my face.
Other than mental health, what is something you’re passionate about?
I really enjoy traveling and outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, and swimming! Growing up, my family and I made it a point to travel to all 48 continental states via road trips, and we have been to over 30 national parks together. In the future, I want to increase those numbers and continue to travel to different places to experience different cultures and different groups of people.
Who is your ideal client?
“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up”. -Brene Brown. I believe it is the privilege of the therapist to be a partner through each client’s journey of personal growth, and any client who has the strength and vulnerability to walk in that door every week is an ideal client.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I love learning about people and learning new things. Something that is unique about this profession is the lifelong learning, often happening through your clients themselves. Having the ability to create a quiet, safe, nonjudgmental and supportive space to assist clients in facilitating their own change, growth, and success is a really beautiful thing in which to be involved.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all source of intervention. Every therapist has a different approach, and it is our goal as providers to help clients find the solution that works for them in times of distress. Although we are in the healing journey together, the client is in the driver’s seat and is the expert of their own lives. Everyone can benefit from therapy, especially with the right fit of provider.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
Although as providers we attempt to be the best fit possible for each person who walks into our offices, each provider has a different personality, style, and is informed more heavily by different treatment modalities. The most important part of therapeutic intervention is the relationship between the client and the therapist, and through knowing that, I strive to build trust and an authentic relationship with my clients. I work hard to create a safe, supportive, and flexible environment, where the client is truly in the driver’s seat to discuss whatever is needed to be worked on that in that given moment. I will serve as a vault, sit and assist you with processing difficult feelings, delight in your successes, and laugh with you in the lighter times throughout treatment.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
I believe success is completely defined by the client and what feels like a success in their own personal life. I strive to remind my clients that success can look different each day. Some days, working hard and making tangible progress towards goals is absolutely a “success”, and other days, simply showing up is success itself.
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
I am thankful to be a provider during the time of a switch to an overall more positive outlook regarding mental health services, but I understand we still have a long way to go in reducing barriers to mental health treatment, one of which being “stigma”. Having a desire to attend therapy does not mean something is “wrong” with you or necessarily even needs to be fixed. Attending therapy can be powerful in a way to understand yourself more to increase happiness in life and relationships, most importantly the relationship you have with yourself.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all source of intervention. Every therapist has a different approach, and it is our goal as providers to help clients find the solution that works for them in times of distress. Although we are in the healing journey together, the client is in the driver’s seat and is the expert of their own lives. Everyone can benefit from therapy, especially with the right fit of provider.
Populations:
Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Adults & Families
Treatment Modalities:
Professional Specializations
Kristin has clinical experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. Kristin has a background working with at-risk youth in residential treatment facilities, trauma survivors, individuals and families in stressful or crisis situations, as well as those with relational conflicts, adjustment difficulties across various transitions in life, and youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.