Kristen Smith (She/her)

I am a former Certified Dementia Practitioner with extensive experience supporting individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease. I previously worked with older adults in nursing homes and clinical settings, providing emotional support, behavioral strategies, and person-centered care. This background allows me to help clients and families navigate memory loss, emotional changes, and the stress associated with Alzheimer’s with compassion and practical coping tools.

I have experience supporting older adults and individuals coping with cancer-related stress, emotional adjustment, and life changes. My background in healthcare and long-term care settings allows me to address anxiety, grief, identity shifts, and uncertainty that often accompany a cancer diagnosis, using supportive, evidence-based therapy to promote emotional resilience and quality of life.

With a prior career working in nursing homes and elder care settings, I specialize in aging-related concerns including life transitions, loss of independence, health changes, and emotional well-being. I bring a deep understanding of the psychological challenges older adults face and provide supportive telehealth therapy in New Jersey focused on dignity, coping skills, and meaningful adjustment through later life stages.

I use a person-centered approach that emphasizes empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. I create a supportive, nonjudgmental therapeutic space where clients feel heard and empowered. This collaborative style helps clients build self-awareness, confidence, and motivation for meaningful change.

I have completed formal CBT trainings through the Beck Institute and use evidence-based CBT techniques to help clients identify unhelpful thought patterns, regulate emotions, and change behaviors. CBT is effective for anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions, offering practical tools clients can apply outside of sessions.

I have completed professional ACT trainings with Russ Harris and integrate ACT to help clients build psychological flexibility, manage difficult emotions, and live in alignment with their values. ACT supports clients in reducing emotional avoidance, increasing resilience, and creating meaningful, value-driven change.