About Us

       I most closely identify with the humanistic approach to therapy in that I believe that you must be understood within the context of your own life, your own value system and that you yourself possess the answers and the agency to change.    I believe that my role as a therapist is to walk with you, to support you, to help you to identify faulty thoughts and beliefs and to encourage you to look within for the answers. 

            I have a very strong belief that most humans have been greatly affected by trying to fit into societies roles and the roles that were imposed on them by their families and belief systems.  What I think happens in therapy is that a person begins to question and shed what is not theirs, with the help of a therapist and a safe environment and through this shedding the true self is allowed and encouraged to emerge. 

            I believe that humans do have the freedom of choice and that it is our duty to embrace responsibility for the choices that we do and do not make.  This particular belief reminds a client that they are actually in control of their destiny and not victims of circumstances.  Empowering a client to believe this and to act accordingly is part of what I see in the process of healing and change.

             My most salient understanding of what I am doing as a therapist is best said by Ram Dass when he states that “after all, we’re all just walking each other home”.  My meaning that I make from this statement may be slightly different in that I view my role as a therapist as walking my client home to herself or himself.  I don’t think we’re all walking to the same place, I think we are all walking to our own homes, our own souls, and our own selves whoever and whatever that may be.    My role as a therapist is to facilitate the walk, to walk with the client.  My role as a therapist is also to continue my own walk and in this way I am always learning and growing and improving on my skill set to act as a therapist and helper to others. 

(She/Her) 

Reach out to me directly or through the website.

I see people in person and virtually

kristynbeckstrom@gmail.com

858.692.8234

Additional Certifications

EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist                                        

Certified Expressive Arts Therapist (CEAT)

        I encourage my clients to examine where their comfort zone ends and gently guide them into and past their fears, obstacles or perceived challenges.  This is accomplished through a holistic look at the individual and the systems in which they belong. "Learning happens just outside the comfort zone:" Vygotsky described this sweet spot where growth and engagement with life occur. To me, this includes embracing the discomfort within ourselves and working through the struggles with others. Otherwise, we can become stagnant in our ways and complacent in our relationships, which invites dullness, sorrow, and discontent. My goal is to support clients as they embark on this somewhat scary journey of learning about the self, others, and the world that will ultimately enhance their quality of life.

Reach out to me directly or through the website for a free consultation today

I see people in person and virtually

aarongillen.dmft@gmail.com

760.638.2595

(She/Her)

Additional degrees/training:  

Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP)  

Master of Arts in Teaching, Special Education: (Moderate-to-Severe DisabilitieMaster of Science in Plant-Based Nutrition: (Relationship between food and mental health)

Associate of Science in Holistic Health: (Traditional Chinese Medicine & Bodywork)