Kristy Caffari, MHP

I believe people do their best with the circumstances and strengths they have. Yet life can be very overwhelming and even traumatic at times. We can be thrown into survival mode when what we really want to do is thrive. We can experience relational distress even while striving to function within the systems and dynamics we find ourselves in. The good news is we all have the capacity to continue growing through challenges and to find empowerment through increased awareness and collaboration with supportive people and resources. I hope to connect with clients who resonate with me being one of those supports for them along their healing journey.

I came to marriage and family therapy as a second career following 20+ years as a special education teacher. In my previous role I helped both younger and older individuals feel safe, seen, and supported as they worked towards their goals. I am excited to continue offering a safe and affirming space with even deeper emotional support in my role as therapist.

Like many of us, I have faced a barrage of mounting stressors since the pandemic. Learning to trust myself through the storms of health crises, family of origin rifts, marital strain, teaching and parenting neurodiverse children, moves, career change, grief, queer identity shifts, separation, and returning to higher education in mid-life motivates me not only to continue strengthening my own reserves, but to bolster the growth, insight, and resourcefulness of those I work with as well.

I bring an eclectic therapeutic approach, combining aspects of experiential, narrative, CBT, solution focused therapy and mindfulness practices to provide personalized support to individuals and families. We all need and deserve to be validated for who we are and the unique experiences we have had. Most people find my presence to be calming and non-judgemental. I genuinely see the good and potential strengths in everyone and am also not afraid to offer new perspectives that may usher you into your next chapter.

Outside of graduate school and work, I enjoy singing in choirs or in my car, basking in nature, especially at the family cabin or anywhere by trees or water, checking out new cafes, restaurants, or thrift shops with friends, watching movies and snuggling with my dog and cat, and trying to keep up with my two teenage sons.

If any of my experiences or approaches resonate for you, I hope we get the opportunity to work together. Life is messy AND beautiful. Let’s sort through the mess and find the beauty together.