Kristin Ferri, LMHC, NCC
welcome!
I love to help people CHANGE! Change their habits, change their thinking patterns, change their relationships, and ultimately change their life. I know you may be scared of change, many people are; hence the all too often "stagnant and stuck" state that you find yourself in. And this is simply because it feels pretty comfortable and familiar in the current state, even if it is pretty miserable, at least you know what to expect. With change, the fear of the unknown kicks in and can paralyze you from making the changes needed to achieve the desired outcome you hope for. What if I fail? What if I am terrible at it? What if people look at me differently? What if I make a fool of myself? What if I hate it? What if it makes things worse? What if, what if, what if??? The list can go on. Our brain is very good at bringing up "reasons" why we should just stay the way we are. But let me ask you a few questions.
Would you like to respond rather than react?
Would you like to feel contentment rather than regret?
Would you like to feel healthy rather than unhealthy?
Would you like to feel accepted rather than rejected?
Would you like to feel connected with your spouse instead of feeling isolated from them?
I am sure you answered yes to most of those questions, if not all, most people do. Who wouldn't want to feel all of those positive things? The problem is, we often encounter barriers that we need to remove and that takes intentional action on our part to make the changes necessary. But that is where I come in! I am here to help you identify these barriers and make these intentional movements towards change. The counseling process provides you with the why and how to change. It is not a temporary behavior modification "quick fix" but a true in-depth look into why things are the way they are and how to make change that lasts. Change is about you and not others. I know that if you could just change your spouse then things would be better or if they would just accept you for who you are then there would be less problems but we can only control ourselves and what we choose to think and do. However, when we do make changes it can create a course of change in those around us. For instance, if you are struggling in your marriage and you wish it could change, if we can focus on what you need to change, you will see how your marriage naturally begins to change as well. It is about personal transformation that will cause a flow of influence on all of the other areas of your life.
My passion is to walk along side of you through your personal and relational struggles while providing a safe place for healing to begin and change to be possible. At Renew MHC, my goal is to facilitate change in you by:
Looking at you as a whole person- your thoughts, beliefs, behaviors and habits. This will help your understanding of the why for your need to change.
Increasing your ability to better adapt to life's circumstances in healthy ways. We would identify faulty thought patterns then replace them with new healthy thoughts.
Encouraging you to thrive in your relationships by developing more effective communication and conflict resolution skills
Looking at the relationship between your mind and body. For many, finding natural ways to increase mental wellness through nutrition and/or exercise is key to the change they need to make.
Most importantly, to empower you to become the person you want to be
As a team, we will work together to identify problematic areas, identify barriers, establish goals, and determine strategies that will work best and provide you with important tools that can be carried with you for many years to come. I strongly believe that when you are able to speak freely in a non-judgmental space and to know you are truly being heard, the process of healing can begin and change is possible.
Quick Facts about me
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
Bachelors in Psychology at Nazareth College of Rochester
Masters in Mental Health Counseling at St. John Fisher College (2007)
Certificate through the Christian Counseling Education Foundation (CCEF)
Member of the New York Mental Health Counselor's Association (NYMHCA)
Worked in the mental health field and have been counseling individuals and couples for 18+ years.
Person Centered Approach
Utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Gottman Methods
Can incorporate Biblical principles into the process. See Christian Counseling page
Areas of change Include:
Relational
Marriage/Relationship Issues
Premarital
Communication Skills
Conflict Resolution
Parenting
Emotional
Depression
Anxiety
Forgiveness
Grief
Emotional Connection
Behavioral
Unhealthy/Bad Habits
Stress Reduction
Sleep Issues
Nutrition
“Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. I hope I get the chance to meet and walk alongside you during your time of need.”