Kristan Baer
LMSW MSW
About Kristan
Kristan understands that healing must integrate both mind and body. In therapy with Kristan, you will not need to talk endlessly or complete worksheets. Instead, she will gently guide you as you tune in to what your body is telling you to release trapped traumatic energy and restore a sense of safety and connection with yourself and the world around you.
The core of Kristan’s practice is building a safe, supportive environment. She specializes in attachment repair, trauma, sexual trauma, PTSD, C-PTSD, anxiety, and depression. She works with the mind-body system to reintegrate traumatic memory and resolve the energy that becomes trapped after a traumatic event. This trapped energy can manifest as chronic illness, dissociation, revictimization, inability to hold big emotions, and repetitive unhealthy patterns in career performance, relationships, and parenting. Working with the whole mind-body system allows for rewiring of neural networks allowing for faster, long-term resolution of traumatic symptoms.
Kristan’s training in multiple therapy models allows her to customize the therapeutic experience to fit each client. Her trauma-focused somatic and experiential approach includes advanced training in Somatic Experiencing (SE), level 2 training in Lifespan Integration (LI) Therapy, and training in trauma-informed yoga. SE and LI are two powerful modalities, based on polyvagal theory, that go beyond talk therapy and cognitive therapy to resolve trauma. This unique blend of psychotherapy and body-centered therapy encourages nervous system regulation and a restored connection with the body and the intuitive self, leading to sustainable healing and a healthier way of living. Kristan also takes a collaborative approach which involves working with physical therapy practitioners who can provide myofascial release, pelvic floor work, or ROLF massage to support the traumatized body as well as the mind.
Kristan was awarded her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees from UAB. As a social worker, she has worked in inpatient and intensive outpatient mental health facilities providing therapy and group therapy to patients.
In Kristan’s personal life, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, reading, practicing yoga, playing board games, building puzzles, and watching movies. She continually seeks ways to enhance her skillset by attending trainings, workshops, consultations, and supervision. She is also committed to continuing her own therapeutic healing to maintain her ability to be a well-regulated resource for her clients.
Kristan’s Specialties
○LGBT QIA+ Affirming ○Polyamory Affirming ○Somatic Experiencing
○Lifespan Integration Therapy
○Attachment Problems ○CBT and DBT Therapy ○Adult Children of Addiction ○Mindfulness Based Therapy ○Severe Trauma and CPTSD
○Teenage Counseling and Trauma in Teenagers ○Personal and Career Stagnation ○Parenting and Motherhood
Got a question for Kristan? Email: [email protected]
LMSW License # 6165G
In The Supervision of Joel Blackstock