About Me

I am so glad that you are thinking about therapy! I hope that you will be able to find the help that you are looking for. My name is Kristen Gardenhire Mihara and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #65689) with an extensive background in counseling. I have been in the clinical field for over 12 years.

I have been a part time faculty member at USC, Cal State Los Angeles, CSUN, and Antioch University where I enjoy teaching graduate students. My Christian faith is paramount to guiding my clinical practice while respecting each client's individual journey. I understand that the obstacles that occur in life impact everything including; our relationships, work, and our faith. It can be so difficult to see beyond our current circumstances and that which holds us back.

I practice using Dynamic Emotion Focused Therapy (DEFT) which is a compassionate collaboration that allows the person to move beyond defenses and self protective strategies to connecting to their adaptive emotions and their core self. I find this way of practicing increases access to emotional capacities and helps people to build more dynamic and trusting relationships with themselves and others. I also find that it brings immense relief to the psychological distress including (but not limited to); stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety that so many people suffer with on a day to day basis. I also utilize an integrative mix of experiential, psychodynamic, attachment focused, and person centered techniques in my work with clients.  

I believe in the power of counseling and all the benefits that it produces. I am extremely collaborative in my approach with clients, I want therapy to meet your needs. I work hard to provide a warm, empathetic, and genuine space for my clients to share their lives. I am passionate about clients experiencing freedom and restoration through the therapeutic process.