About Kristin Thomson Bader, LMFT
Kristin Thomson Bader,
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
My story
For many years, I worked in corporate PR – a profession that I hated but was terrified to leave because of the security it afforded me.
Through years of my own journey in therapy, facing family and personal challenges in relationships, self-sabotaging behaviors as well as old shame, anxiety and trauma, I finally took the leap to help others similarly struggling and became a therapist myself.
When I conduct sessions, I bring not only my training and education, but also my experience as a client. I have had wonderfully fruitful therapeutic journeys as well as fairly toxic experiences in therapy, all of which have been important teachers for me in my work.
I offer a supportive and collaborative environment that invites clients into open discussions to explore vulnerable feelings in a safe space. Today I work in private practice, counseling people who are coping with many different issues such as anxiety, depression, relationships, communication, life transitions and trauma.
I see individuals, couples and families coping with substance use, mental health and communications issues. I also regularly conduct parent, family and peer groups focused on supporting individuals or family members struggling with substance use and recover.
More on my background
Prior to establishing my private practice, I saw clients in both inpatient and outpatient for the treatment of substance use / addiction and dual diagnosis issues.
I found that the more I worked in these environments, the more I questioned the “abstinence only for everyone” approach. I found it limiting and inflexible, shaming and often re-traumatizing for clients. This inspired me to start working with people interested in altering and moderating their substance use and other addictive behaviors according to their personal goals and values which felt more authentic and is the way I approach all clients today.
Additionally, I ran the Family and Parent Programs at New York Center for Living, an Intensive Outpatient Program for adolescents, young adults and their families, and held traineeships at The Addiction Institute of New York and Summit Malibu, an inpatient treatment facility serving patients with dual diagnoses issues and their families.
I have lectured extensively on the topics of addiction, family systems and communication, and completed the Foundations of Family Therapy program at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. I am also certified in Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP) through training with its founder, Andrew Tatarsky.
I hold my MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and my BA from Barnard College of Columbia University. I see clients of all ages, backgrounds, races, sexual and gender orientation, religion and cultures for individual, couples, and family therapy.
I maintain offices in Manhattan as well as Kingston in the Hudson Valley, and I also practice telehealth throughout New York State.
Specializations
- Substances, Shame & Secrecy
- Career Burnout, Anxiety & Indecision
- Conflict, Power Struggles & Communication
- Trust, Attachment & Insecurity
I approach treatment from an individualized, psychodynamic framework.
I incorporate psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness skills and Motivational Interviewing (MI) throughout my work with clients.
More on my background
Prior to establishing my private practice, I saw clients in both inpatient and outpatient for the treatment of substance use / addiction and dual diagnosis issues.
I found that the more I worked in these environments, the more I questioned the “abstinence only for everyone” approach. I found it limiting and inflexible, shaming and often re – traumatizing for clients. This inspired me to start working with people interested in altering and moderating their substance use and other addictive behaviors according to their personal goals and values which felt more authentic and is the way I approach all clients today.
Additionally, I also ran the Family and Parent Programs at New York Center for Living, an Intensive Outpatient Program for adolescents, young adults and their families.
I held traineeships at The Addiction Institute of New York and Summit Malibu, an inpatient treatment facility serving patients with dual diagnoses issues and their families.
I have lectured extensively on the topics of addiction, family systems and communication, and completed the Foundations of Family Therapy program at the Ackerman Institute for the Family.
I am certified in Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy through training with its founder, Andrew Tatarsky.
I hold my MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and my BA from Barnard College of Columbia University. I see clients of al l ages, backgrounds, races, sexual and gender orientation, religion and cultures for individual, couples, and family therapy.
I maintain offices in Manhattan, as well as, Kingston in the Hudson Valley, and I also practice telehealth throughout New York State. If you are interested in scheduling an initial consultation, please reach out!
More On My Background
Prior to establishing my private practice, I saw clients in both inpatient and outpatient for the treatment of substance use / addiction and dual diagnosis issues. I found that the more I worked in these environments, the more I questioned the “abstinence only f or everyone” approach. I found it limiting and inflexible, shaming and often re – traumatizing for clients. This inspired me to start working with people interested in altering and moderating their substance use and other addictive behaviors according to their personal goals and values which felt more authentic and is the way I approach all clients today. Additionally , I also ran the Family and Parent Programs at New York Center for Living, an Intensive Outpatient Program for adolescents, young adults and their families. I held traineeships at The Addiction Institute of New York and Summit Malibu, an inpatient treatmen t facility serving patients with dual diagnoses issues and their families. I have lectured extensively on the topics of addiction, family systems and communication, and completed the Foundations of Family Therapy program at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. I am certified in Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy through training with its founder, Andrew Tatarsky. I hold my MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and my BA from Barnard College of Columbia University. I see clients of al l ages, backgrounds, races, sexual and gender orientation, religion and cultures for individual, couples, and family therapy. I maintain offices in Manhattan, as well as, Kingston in the Hudson Valley, and I also practice telehealth throughout New York S tate. If you are interested in scheduling an initial consultation, please reach out!
Parent Programs
Behavioral Therapy
integrating family systems, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), internal family systems (IFS), Imago, mindfulness skills and motivational interviewing in working with clients.
I have lectured extensively on the topics of addiction, family systems and communication, and completed the Foundations of Family Therapy program at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. I hold my MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and my BA from Barnard College of Columbia University.
Get in touch with me
You can reach me via phone or email for a free 15-minute consultation, and I will respond within 24 hours.