Kristin Colangelo, LCSW, LCADC
THERAPIST
I became a therapist because of my deep commitment to helping people heal from trauma, understand how early relationships shape their lives, and build more secure and meaningful connections with themselves and others. I believe deeply in our capacity to heal when we feel genuinely seen, understood, and supported.
INSIGHTFUL
coMPASSIONATE
EMPOWERING
i treat all general mental health needs
i work with: adults AND COUPLES
i specialize in: SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS, trauma, CHRONIC STRESS
Meet Kristin
Final Thoughts + Encouragement
What would you say to someone who is nervous about starting therapy?
It is completely understandable to feel nervous about sharing vulnerable parts of your life with someone new. You do not need to arrive with the right words or know exactly where to begin—we will start wherever you are and take the process one step at a time, together.
Personal Well-Being + Self-Care
Can you share a personal strategy you use to manage stress?
I try to pay attention to what my nervous system is communicating and respond with curiosity rather than criticism. Music, movement, time in nature, and connection with people I trust help me feel grounded and return to myself.
Therapy Philosophy
How do you define success in a therapeutic journey?
I define success not as the absence of struggle, but as developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself, recognizing when your nervous system is activated, and building the capacity to soothe and regulate yourself. In trauma work, healing can mean reconnecting with your body, yourself, and others while learning to understand and work compassionately with the protective parts of you that developed to help you survive. Therapy is successful when clients can access their grounded, authentic Self more consistently and create lives that reflect what matters most to them.
Personal Touch + Personality
How would you describe yourself outside of your role as a therapist?
Outside of therapy, I am warm, curious, and deeply connected to the people and communities I love. I am passionate about community organizing, human rights, and advocacy, and I also enjoy music, spending time with family, friends and of course my dog, traveling, and finding moments of joy and meaning in everyday life.
WORKING WITH CLIENTS
How do you tailor your methods to meet the unique needs of each client?
I recognize that every client brings a unique history, nervous system, culture, set of strengths, and vision for healing. I draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS), Polyvagal Theory, somatic therapies, and attachment-focused approaches to create therapy that responds to each person’s individual needs rather than expecting the person to fit a single model.
Therapeutic Style + Approach
How do you balance being empathetic with offering practical tools and guidance?
I begin by meeting clients where they are and creating space for their experiences without judgment or pressure. From there, we work collaboratively to identify practical tools and meaningful next steps, always moving at a pace that feels safe and manageable.
