About me

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have worked with adolescents and families in the Phoenix area for the past 18 years. I have been a high school social worker in several large public high schools and my favorite part of the job is seeing students go from struggling to succeeding. Students who work with me would tell you that I'm easy to talk to, funny, down to earth, and that sessions with me don't feel like "real counseling". I take that as a compliment because I don't think counseling has to make you feel weird. Counseling just means that you feel stuck and need someone else's perspective to help you reach your goals. I have a lot of experience in helping students who feel stressed, overwhelmed, unsure of their future, and who struggle with anger/emotions, behavior issues, relationship conflicts, and who can feel hopeless. I have experience with students who have backgrounds of abuse and I even co-authored a book for teens called "The Mending the Soul, Student Edition".

My approach in counseling is to be client centered - that just means that I want to help teenagers feel comfortable and cared about so that I can support them in setting and meeting their goals. I use a cognitive behavioral approach and solutions focused brief therapy as a way to help support your teenager in the changes they are looking to make. I have found that an online format for counseling is best used for general, supportive counseling and psycho-educational services. I will provide a safe place for your teenagers to express him/herself, receive feedback, and set some goals to improve their overall mental/emotional well-being. Its important to note that I do not provide services pertaining to the diagnosing or the treatment of clinical mental health disorders in a telemental health online format.

I look forward to getting to know you and how I can help support you.


Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Anger management
  • Self esteem, Motivation
  • Coping with life changes
Also experienced in:
Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Grief , Parenting issues , Depression , Communication Problems , Family Problems , Forgiveness , Guilt and Shame , Life Purpose , Young Adult Issues

Clinical approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy

Years of Experience: 18

Services offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

  • Video

Licensing

AZ LCSW LCSW-12185


Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Kristi Garrison. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.

Written on Oct 27, 2021 after therapy with Kristi for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

There has been so much growth in me in the last year. I don’t think it would have been possible without Kristi.

Written on Jun 17, 2021 after therapy with Kristi for 1 year and 1 month

She is great and has worked well with my kid.

Written on Jul 04, 2020 after therapy with Kristi for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd

Kristi is an amazing counselor that definitely understands my unique needs in therapy. Ive always felt comfortable in her presence and her insights are always very accurate to helping me understand any of my personal situations. She provides actual steps to improving my mental health and she does so in a caring and individualized manner. I cant reccomend her enough.

Written on Jun 10, 2020 after therapy with Kristi for 3 weeks on issues concerning self esteem, and adhd

Kristi has been fantastic in helping me walk through some really challenging things. I deeply appreciate the safe space she provides for us to explore some hard things.

Written on May 01, 2020 after therapy with Kristi for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue

teencounseling.com helped me in a moment where I felt vulnerable and overwhelmed with life. My therapist provided a safe and trustworthy environment for me to express myself and share my traumatic experiences without feeling I'm being judged or misunderstood. Thank you, Dr. Garrison, for your support and compassion :)

Work with me!