- Direct and compassionate
- Mindfulness and skills
- Goal oriented
About Kristen
Kristen Buongiorno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 14 years of clinical experience. She centers therapy on clear, practical work that connects thoughts and actions. Kristen talks plainly and directly while keeping a compassionate tone. She encourages people who are ready to make changes and partners with them to set realistic goals.
Kristen draws on approaches that focus on how thinking affects behavior, and she uses mindfulness to help people feel steadier day to day. She often addresses stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and relationship and intimacy-related issues. Other areas she supports include caregiver stress, grief, addiction concerns, ADHD, and concerns related to veteran and armed forces experiences.
Her style is collaborative and goal-oriented. She helps people build safety plans when needed and does not avoid difficult conversations. Sessions emphasize practical skills, self-care, and strategies to manage strong emotions like anger or shame.
Kristen has worked with people facing major life changes and with those coping with illness or cancer. She also lists experience with adoption and foster care concerns and with topics such as abandonment, body image, and sexual culture issues. Her background includes work with veterans and people affected by sexual trauma.
She practices in New Jersey and conducts sessions in English. Kristen asks clients to approach therapy as a partnership so they can set achievable steps toward the changes they want.
Approaches that guide online work and practical coping
Kristen integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Therapy in her work. CBT looks at the connection between thoughts and behaviors and teaches clear steps people can practice to change unhelpful patterns. Mindfulness Therapy uses simple practices like breathing and grounding to reduce overwhelm and increase present-moment focus.Finding the right approach is a team effort. Kristen collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their situation and goals. She aims to blend practical skills and mindful practices based on what the client needs and prefers.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the available session formats before booking since options are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, shorten commute time, and allow for brief check-ins when a full in-person visit isn't possible. They also let people practice skills in real daily routines and bring those experiences back to sessions for discussion.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Credentials
New Jersey
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Kristen address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and grief. Additional focus areas include adoption and foster care concerns, caregiver stress, addiction, ADHD, and veteran-related issues.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach is collaborative, practical, and straightforward. She blends techniques that link thoughts and behaviors with mindfulness to build day-to-day coping skills.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Kristen has 14 years of clinical experience working across diverse populations and settings.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New Jersey and practices there.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with Kristen?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.