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Photo of Kirsten Christensen, Ph.D.

Kirsten Christensen, Ph.D.

Psychologist
Upstream Mental Health
Accepting clients Last Updated 0 days ago

I'm a firm believer that you don’t need to wait until things get really bad to start therapy.

Every person is unique, and therapy should be the same - that’s why I take a tailored, individualized approach that’s flexible to meet your needs and goals. The foundation of our work is a multicultural-feminist perspective that positions you as the expert of your own experience. I take a warm, collaborative approach to help you get clarity about who you are and how you want your life to look. I also integrate evidence-based interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and relational frameworks. My goals involve helping clients move upstream to identify and resolve systemic and personal patterns that keep them stuck and working together to find more joy.

I also believe that the personal is political. More often than not, sociopolitical systems of oppression like racism, sexism, heterosexism, transphobia, ableism, and more directly impact mental health. As a result, I take an actively anti-racist, intersectional, identity-affirming approach with clients across a broad spectrum of marginalization and privilege.

I specialize in working with college students, graduate students, young adults, and professionals in Massachusetts on a variety of common issues including: mood (anxiety, depression), identity development, life transitions and adjustment, ADHD, relationship issues, academic and career issues, and burnout.


Specialties

ADHD Anger management Anxiety Autism Spectrum Disorder Bias and Discrimination Body Image Career Concerns Chronic Pain College adjustment Cultural Adjustment Depression Emotional Regulation Executive Functions Existential Challenges / Crises Family Conflict Gender Identity Grief and Loss Identity Development Immigration Stress Life Transitions Neurodevelopment Disorders Perfectionism Race Based Trauma Racial Identity Relationship Issues Religion or Spirituality Self-esteem Sexual Abuse Sexual Assault Sexuality Sexual Orientation Social Anxiety Social Isolation Stress Stress from Academics Trauma & PTSD

Insurance & Payment

In-Network Insurance Plans

Kirsten Christensen, Ph.D. is in network for the following plans:

Aetna Aetna Student Health Aetna Student Health - Columbia University Aetna Student Health - The New School AllWays Health Partners Anthem Anthem Blue Cross Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Choice Select PPO Brown University Student Health Insurance (UnitedHealthcare) Empire BlueCross Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Harvard Pilgrim Mass General Brigham Health Plan Optum Optum Partners UHCSR Boston College UMR United Behavioral Health UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealthcare StudentResources

Paperwork:

I can provide you with paperwork for reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network sessions.

Rates

Rates not provided
Sliding Scale Offered: A sliding scale fee "slides" to try to meet the needs of clients who are unable to pay the full fee. Details can be discussed upon consultation.

Practice Hours

Monday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday --
Sunday --

Treatment Approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Anti-Oppressive Lens Body positivity Career Counseling Client-Centered / Rogerian Therapy (CCT) Coaching Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Compassion Focused Culturally Sensitive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Eclectic Emotionally Focused Therapy Emotion-focused therapy Existential Feminist Holistic Humanistic Insight Therapy Integrative Mindfulness Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Motivational Interviewing Multicultural Neuropsychological Testing and Evaluation Person-Centered Positive Psychology Psychodynamic Psychological Testing and Evaluation Relational Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Strength-Based Supportive Trauma Focused

Modalities

Individuals

Age Groups

Young Adults (18-25) Adults (26-64)

Communities

Activists Artists Athletes First-Gen Immigrants Indigenous Peoples LGBQ+ Neurodiverse People of Color People with Disabilities Trans non-binary gender fluid Undocumented

Meeting Options

Video sessions available

Qualifications

  • Years in Practice: 9
  • License(s): MA-PSY5000392

More About Me

  • Languages Spoken: English
  • Gender(s): Woman