As You Are Counseling Center

Kristen Gardenhire is the owner of As You Are counseling center. She is a licensed clinical social worker who has been providing mental health services in a variety of settings. Kristen attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as an undergrad and UCLA as a graduate student where she received her masters in social work.

She has worked overseas in India doing anti human trafficking work with an international NGO. Kristen has also worked in a variety of community settings including group homes, out patient clinics, and home based services  with diverse populations. She has worked with police officers helping to assist victims of crime and trauma. Kristen currently volunteers with an organization that provides resources to men and women in the sex industry.

She presently is a supervisor at a trauma counseling center and an adjunct lecturer at the University of Southern California.

Kristen is actively involved in her church community in Los Angeles. Her Christian faith is paramount to guiding her clinical practice- while respecting that every client has a different and unique faith journey. Kristen is knowledgeable about many areas including; trauma, depression, anxiety, anger issues, spiritual or faith issues, stress, self esteem, reentry, adjustment, emerging adulthood, teens, young children, relational issues, and many more. Kristen is trained and certified in several evidenced based practices including: Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Managing and Adapting Practice, and Seeking Safety. She uses an eclectic mix of CBT, experiential, attachment focused, relational, and person centered techniques in her therapy.