About Our Practice
Compassionate support. Healing relationships. Sustainable future.
About Your Therapist
Kristen McLaughlin
M.A., NCC, LPC-Associate, LCCA
Supervised by Amaris Sanchez, LPC-Supervisor #71106
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Relationship concerns
- Parenting stress
- Life transitions
I am passionate about creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where children and families feel truly heard and understood. I believe therapy works best as a collaborative partnership, and I value working closely with parents and caregivers to support a child's emotional growth, resilience, and overall well-being. My approach is compassionate, integrative, and tailored to each client's unique needs. I draw from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and acceptance-based practices to help clients navigate challenges including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, parenting stress, and life transitions. My goal is to empower clients with practical tools while fostering insight, self-compassion, and lasting positive change. For clients who desire it, I also offer faith-based counseling, thoughtfully integrating spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic process in a way that aligns with the client's values and comfort level. Outside of my work as a therapist, I enjoy spending time outdoors, connecting with family, and prioritizing personal wellness. I believe in modeling balance and self-care, and I strive to bring that grounded presence into the therapy room.
Schedule a ConsultationOur Mission
Steadfast Roots Counseling Co. provides compassionate counseling services rooted in meeting people exactly where they are. We support individuals, foster children, families, parents, and caregivers as they navigate life's challenges and work toward healing, stability, and growth.
At Steadfast Roots Counseling Co., we believe healing begins when individuals feel seen, safe, and understood. We approach therapy through a trauma-informed, relationship-centered lens, recognizing that behavior reflects lived experiences rather than personal failure. Our work is collaborative and strengths-based, focused on building insight, emotional regulation, and meaningful change—not “fixing” people. Grounded in trust, attunement, and respect, we meet children, adults, families, and caregivers where they are while supporting growth toward hope and possibility.
With a deep understanding of foster care and family systems, our approach is trauma-informed, relationship-centered, and future-focused. We believe people are more than their circumstances, and that meaningful change happens when support is respectful, collaborative, and grounded in hope.
Looking ahead, Steadfast Roots Counseling Co. is working toward offering equestrian-based services. Working alongside horses creates unique opportunities for healing, regulation, and building trust in ways that extend beyond the therapy room, and we will share more here as these services become available.
Through therapeutic services and consulting, Steadfast Roots Counseling Co. partners with individuals and organizations to foster resilience, strengthen relationships, and help build a healthier future, one step at a time.
- Compassion
- Trauma-Informed
- Relationship-Centered
- Hope
Our Story
Every Story Has Roots
The name Steadfast Roots Counseling is more than a business name—it is the foundation of everything this practice represents.
The word steadfast means to remain firm, unwavering, and grounded even in the midst of life's challenges. While we cannot always control what happens to us, we can learn to respond with resilience, courage, and hope. Healing is rarely a straight path, but having something that keeps us grounded allows us to weather life's storms and continue moving forward.
The idea of roots speaks to the heart of therapy. Every person, every family, and every experience has roots. The relationships we experienced, the messages we received, the environments we grew up in, and the moments that shaped us all become part of our story. Therapy is not about living in the past—it is about understanding how our past influences our present so we can make intentional choices for our future.
Sometimes healing means strengthening the roots that have sustained us. Other times it means gently uncovering wounds, challenging long-held beliefs, and pruning patterns that no longer serve us. When we understand our roots, we create space for growth.
My own faith has been the foundation that carried me through seasons of uncertainty and inspired the creation of Steadfast Roots Counseling Co. While this practice is faith-founded, it is not faith-exclusive. Every background, belief, and life experience is welcomed here with compassion, respect, and without judgment. My role is never to tell you what your foundation should be, but to help you discover what grounds you, supports you, and allows you to grow into the person you want to become.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent eight years serving children and families in the child welfare system. Walking alongside them in their homes and communities gave me a profound appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit and a deeper understanding of the ways our earliest experiences shape us. It also reinforced my belief that quality mental health care should be accessible and that everyone deserves a safe place to feel heard, understood, and supported.
Steadfast Roots Counseling Co. was created from that belief.
Whether you are navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of yourself, you are welcome here. My hope is that this is a place where you can explore your story with curiosity rather than shame, discover strength you may have forgotten you possess, and build a life rooted in resilience, authenticity, and lasting growth.
Because every story has roots.
And every person deserves the opportunity to grow.
Our Approach
Trauma-Informed Care
We recognize the widespread impact of trauma and understand pathways for recovery. Our practice creates a safe environment that avoids re-traumatization and promotes healing through understanding, choice, and empowerment.
Relational Healing
We recognize that healing happens within the context of safe, attuned relationships. We work to strengthen the bonds between children and their caregivers, helping families build trust, communication, and emotional connection.
Child-Centered Practice
Children communicate through play, art, and movement. We meet them in their world, using developmentally appropriate methods that honor their unique ways of expressing thoughts and feelings.
Family Systems Perspective
Healing happens within relationships. We involve families in the therapeutic process, recognizing that supporting caregivers and strengthening family dynamics are essential to lasting change.
Our Commitment to You
We are committed to creating a therapeutic space where you and your family feel truly seen, heard, and valued. We believe in the power of connection, the importance of safety, and the possibility of healing—no matter how difficult the journey may seem.
Whether you're seeking support for your child, your family, or yourself, we're here to walk alongside you with compassion, expertise, and hope for a brighter future.
