PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

KG Portrait of Kristine Gustafson
Online therapist

Kristine Gustafson

Practical counseling for everyday family stress

Credentials
LPC
Experience
14 years
Licensed in
Missouri
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Kristine

Kristine Gustafson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Missouri. She uses straightforward, evidence-informed methods to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and life changes. Her style is down-to-earth and goal-focused, so sessions concentrate on what matters most to each person.

She aims to make appointments feel practical and useful for busy parents and caregivers. Kristine blends cognitive behavioral techniques with acceptance and commitment ideas and client-centered listening. She often includes mindfulness and motivational interviewing to help clients notice thoughts, choose values-based actions, and stay motivated.

Background and approach

In sessions she explains skills clearly and practices them together so clients can use them between meetings. Her work also addresses more specific struggles such as trauma and abuse, compassion fatigue, chronic illness and caregiving stress, and addiction. She pays attention to life transitions and emotional challenges that affect day-to-day functioning.

Kristine draws on 14 years of experience to match methods to each person’s situation. Therapy with Kristine focuses on building practical coping tools, clearer communication, and small steps toward goals. She encourages realistic plans and checks progress along the way.

The aim is steady, manageable change rather than quick fixes. Kristine offers sessions in English and can work with international clients. Services are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time, with session formats including video calls, phone, live chat, and text messaging.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It teaches simple exercises to accept difficult feelings and commit to small steps toward what matters most. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on spotting thought patterns and testing them with small behavioral experiments to reduce anxiety and depression. It offers clear tools to practice between sessions. Client-Centered Therapy centers the conversation on the clients experience, using empathic listening and reflection so individuals feel heard and guided rather than judged.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. A licensed professional will talk through goals, preferences, and daily routines to decide which methods fit best. The therapist and client collaborate on a plan and adjust it as progress is tracked.

Online sessions make it easier to keep therapy consistent during busy weeks. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction for skill practice and shared materials. Phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging offer shorter check-ins and flexible touchpoints between meetings. These options support ongoing momentum, practical skill use, and easier scheduling for people balancing family, work, and health needs.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address related to family and parenting?
She works with a wide range of issues that often affect family life, including stress, parenting challenges, relationship and communication problems, grief, and caregiver strain.
What is her therapeutic style like in sessions?
Her approach is practical and collaborative, combining listening with teachable skills. She uses clear explanations, hands-on practice, and goal-setting during sessions.
How many years of experience does she have?
She has 14 years of clinical experience working with adults on a variety of mental health and life concerns.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, credentialed as MO LPC 2018002420, and practices with a Missouri location listed.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and she is able to work with international clients.
In what formats can I meet with her?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How do fees and billing work for sessions?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are required to begin therapy?
To start, use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Experience
14 years
Licensed
Missouri
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Kristine

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point