Krista Schaefer, MA, LMFT, LADC
Individual, Couples, Family Therapy
Krista’s main purpose and driving force as a therapist is rooted in the desire to help people be truly seen, heard, and understood in their own lives. Too often we become lost in our fast paced, demanding lifestyles. As a client, you can expect Krista to listen deeply with the intention of supporting you in uncovering old patterns and faulty ways of thinking that ultimately limit your ability to fully love and embrace yourself, along with the people you care about most.
Krista specializes in working with couples and families. Over time, couples often become blind to how they unknowingly reinforce negative patterns of interaction, disconnection, conflict and further pain. As result, couples are left feeling lost; wondering how their marriage turned into such a lonely experience. During the initial phase of therapy, couples become aware of old, faulty patterns and underlying problems that desperately need their attention. While this type of therapy is often challenging, the result is well worth the effort. Krista guides couples to feeling more connected, loved, validated, and genuinely unified.
Family therapy offers an opportunity for families to address and resolve long standing patterns of disconnection and resentment. Families are complicated. Joining your family in a therapeutic environment provides a safe way to learn how to meaningfully reengage with each other, while acknowledging and honoring the pain and relevance of past events. Through family therapy, families learn how to respect and love each other in a way they have not been able to achieve on their own.
Q&A with Krista
What type of client work excites you the most these days?
At this point in my career, I feel most interested in working with couples and families. The complexity of trying to navigate life given all the pressures families are currently facing presents unique challenges for us all. I feel passionate about helping couples and families cope with and manage these difficulties in a way that supports their relationships and health.
Tell us about a past client success story.
For much of my career I have worked with people struggling with substance use. I have had the privilege to work with many people who live meaningful lives, but find they struggle with drinking too much. One of my long term clients had been struggling with problematic use for most of her life but was never really able to figure out what was missing; what was fueling her behavior. Through our work together we recognized how being the victim of bullying as a child led to her feeling largely inadequate, as if something was wrong with her. By addressing this developmental injury she was able to foster more compassion and tenderness for herself. Over time, she was able to rebuild her sense of self and feel more worthy and deserving of love. She has now been in recovery for several years and is living a much more fulfilling and meaningful life.
What do you look for in a healer?
Ah, a great question. I have had the honor of working with many profound healers throughout my life. I fundamentally believe that my own healing is really the only reason I am able to do this work. For myself, I tend to look for healers who have an authenticity and transparency about them that I can feel. As an empath, I don't tend to do well with healers who are more guarded or emotionally bundled. I tend to work best with healers who prioritize emotional attunement, authenticity, and humor. I don't really think the magic can happen for me without that recipe.
What’s it like to sit with you in a session? What have your clients told you it’s like to sit with you in a session?
Most clients describe a sense of relief that our sessions don't feel overly clinical or scripted. I work to support the client by carefully listening to their understanding of the problems in their life. I believe the client should define what progress they would like to make; my role is to provide structure, guidance, and support as we work together to make it happen. Most of my clients would also say my use of humor is refreshing.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I can usually be found playing with my two wild kids. If I happen to have some time away from them, I enjoy yoga, sleep (Moms.... you know what I mean), going on outdoor adventures with my partner, and comedy shows.
What is something that people are often surprised to learn about you?
People are often surprised to learn that my academic history is a bit of a winding road. As a child, I struggled greatly in school. I was first prescribed mental health medications at age 7. I essentially graduated from high school because of an administrative error. Due to several life circumstances, I found my way a bit later in life. I completed graduate school with a 4.0 GPA.
What is one thing you would say to someone who is on the fence about digging in to work on themselves?
I would inquire about their hesitation. When people feel unsure, I generally am interested in learning what is contributing to their mixed feelings. The nature of this work is deeply personal. I believe it is important to respect a person's readiness. If they're ready to do something but just aren't sure what yet, I would explore various ways I (or another healer) might be able to help.