Kristine Gustafson , LPC

Kristine Gustafson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Missouri with 14 years of clinical experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. She integrates approaches from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and client-centered methods to create individual treatment plans that reflect each person's goals, strengths, and values.

Kristine works with a wide range of concerns including compassion fatigue, chronic illness and caregiving stress, addiction, grief, parenting and family difficulties, mood disorders, and issues related to identity and relationships. Her practice emphasizes practical coping skills while also exploring deeper patterns that can affect self-esteem, attachment, and long-term wellbeing. She brings particular attention to areas such as abandonment, body image, communication problems, and blended family dynamics.

In sessions Kristine aims to offer a warm, nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore emotions and build skills at their own pace. She helps people clarify what matters to them, develop tools for managing difficult thoughts and feelings, and create realistic steps toward meaningful change. Kristine also supports those facing caregiving burdens and chronic health challenges, helping them balance practical demands with emotional resilience.

Therapeutic Approaches for Effective Online Care

Kristine draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people clarify personal values and take committed steps toward a meaningful life even when difficult thoughts and feelings are present. ACT is often helpful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions because it focuses on what matters most to the individual rather than only reducing symptoms.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and adjust unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. CBT provides practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, and many everyday challenges by teaching concrete strategies for changing thoughts and reactions.

Client-Centered Therapy is another component of her work, offering a supportive, empathic space in which clients are encouraged to explore their experience and build self-understanding. This approach benefits those seeking a collaborative relationship and a gentle environment for personal growth.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Kristine will work with each person to tailor methods based on their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Kristine is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, access care from different locations, and continue work between sessions when needed.