About East Valley Family Therapy

Meet Our Team

Jonathan Harrop, LMFT

Ashley Lynch Gaede, LPC

Cari McCormick, Intern

Laura Rice, LPC

Allison Ellsworth, LAMFT

Lawana Mortensen, LMFT

Kristen Walker, LAMFT

Kara Roberts, LAC

Heather Richards, LMFT

Janna Hassell, LAMFT

Josh Chapman, LAC

Tanner Gaede, BCN-T

Kristen Walker, LAMFT

Globe Office & Main Online Provider

Philosophy

Kristen is passionate about helping all who feel stuck, lost, or forgotten. She firmly believes everyone deserves to find their voice, and to write their own story. She also knows that sometimes help is needed to rewrite this story – which perhaps has gotten derailed through trauma and hard times – and Kristen is ready to give that support. Personable and focused, Kristen works side by side with her clients to help them create the movement they seek.

Therapy Focus

Kristen excels at working with a diverse group of clientele. She especially connects easily with kids, as well as their parents, which is a rare find in a therapist. Being at ease with both age groups, Kristen is uniquely capable of helping the family as a whole. Calming and compassionate, Kristen also clicks with individuals of all ages with anxiety and depressive disorders, as well as with couples seeking greater connection. Kristen takes an approach that recognizes the strengths and problem-solving abilities within her clients, honors their personal values, and gives them space to rewrite their story to includes their preferred future. For her work with couples, Kristen has been trained in Emotionally-focused Therapy, one of the most leading forms of couples therapy, and receives regular consultation to further refine her approach. She has also been trained in Eye-movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and has a proven record of effectiveness in treating trauma with this method.

Online Specialist

Most unique of all is Kristen’s ability to connect with people (including children!) online. She has a warm approach that makes her easily relatable, and she has effectively helped clients through trauma with EMDR online. Most amazingly, she has been trained in Sand Tray/Play Therapy and has an App she uses to work with kids online that helps experience the benefits of Sand Tray Therapy online. Kristen is taking these effective forms of therapy to Arizonans that may not have the ability to access these kinds of effective resources otherwise!

Credentials

Kristen is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT). She received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family therapy from Northcentral University, with a specialization in Children and Adolescents. Inspired by a loving school counselor as a child, Kristen has an extensive background in serving children, using her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology and a Master’s degree in special education and school counseling. She has worked in the field of education as an elementary educator, special educator, school counselor and grant coordinator for over 20 years both in the state of Arizona and Vermont.

Personal Life

Kristen is kind and fun to be around. She is particularly fond of blue butterflies, for their symbolism of transformation – that anything is possible. She also loves coffee! Having gone through and overcome many hardships of her own – including an ongoing battle with chronic illness as well as healing from past traumas, Kristen has learned what a gift it is to have someone listen to you and hear your story. She loves all people, but through making the Apache reservation her second home back in 1998, and finding the love of her life there, she has grown to love these noble people and respect their culture, and greatly desires to serve them in any way she can.

Rates for Kristen

$125 / 50-minute session

Schedule an Appointment with Kristen