Therapy for Anxiety, OCD, Attachment Wounds, and Religious Trauma

Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, intrusive thoughts, relationship patterns, or past experiences begin to shape your daily world. You may find yourself feeling stuck, confused, or unsure how to regain a sense of control, especially when your symptoms don’t fit neatly into a box or seem to shift depending on stress, relationships, or memories. My role is to understand what it’s like to be you, to learn how your experiences have shaped your inner world, and to help you move toward a life that feels steadier, clearer, and more hopeful.

Many clients come to therapy seeking support for anxiety, depression, or relationship concerns, and as we work together, we often discover additional layers that deserve care like trauma, attachment wounds, shame, guilt, or long‑standing patterns that quietly influence how they think, feel, and relate. These deeper experiences can make everyday challenges feel heavier or more confusing, even when you’re doing your best to cope. My goal is to help you make sense of these layers with compassion and clarity, creating a space where you can explore your emotions, understand your patterns, and begin to feel more grounded in yourself.

Kristen Matthews, M.S., LPC, NCC Therapist Houston, Texas

How I Work

My approach is collaborative, trauma‑informed, and grounded in evidence‑based care. I draw from several modalities to support your unique needs:

EMDR Therapy – Processing trauma and distressing memories at a pace that feels safe.

Somatic Experiencing – Supporting nervous system regulation and helping your body release stored tension.

ERP Therapy – Treating OCD and intrusive thoughts through structured exposure and response prevention.

CBT – Understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

EFIT (Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy) – Exploring attachment patterns and strengthening emotional resilience.

Together, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan that reflects your goals, honors your lived experiences, and supports meaningful, sustainable change.

What Anchors My Work

I believe healing begins with being truly understood. My work is anchored in compassion, curiosity, and the belief that every person deserves dignity, safety, and emotional freedom. After years of supporting individuals in crisis and working with complex mental health needs, I’ve seen how powerful it is when someone finally feels seen, not judged, minimized, or rushed.

I’m committed to offering a space where you can explore your experiences without fear, reconnect with your worth, and begin to imagine a future that feels possible again. My role is to walk beside you, help you untangle what’s been holding you back, and support you as you rebuild hope, confidence, and emotional stability.

What I Can Help With

I support clients navigating:

  • Anxiety Disorders & Panic — Understanding symptoms and building tools for regulation and relief.
  • OCD & Intrusive Thoughts — Harm, aggression, sexual, religious, contamination, relationship, illness, and other subtypes.
  • Attachment Concerns & Relational Patterns — Exploring how early experiences shape current relationships and emotional responses.
  • Religious & Spiritual Trauma / Recovery from High‑Control Groups — Healing from fear‑based teachings, identity‑shaping environments, and fundamentalist systems.
  • Depression & Mood‑Related Concerns — Supporting emotional clarity, stabilization, and long‑term resilience.
  • Dissociation & DID — Creating safety, grounding, and integration.
  • Addiction Concerns & Compulsive Patterns — Understanding underlying emotional drivers and building healthier coping strategies.
  • Sleep Issues & Anger Management — Addressing symptoms through trauma‑informed, evidence‑based care.
  • Pregnancy, Prenatal & Postpartum Challenges — Supporting identity shifts, emotional overwhelm, and relational changes.
  • Crisis Recovery & Emotional Stabilization — Regaining balance after overwhelming experiences.

You deserve a life where fear no longer leads, where your emotions make sense, and where hope feels possible again. If you’re ready to begin this work, I’m here to support you with compassion, expertise, and a steady presence.

More about Kristen...

Kristen graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of South Carolina and later earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Summa Cum Laude) from Walden University.

She worked as a forensic chemist before transitioning into mental health, where she spent over 15 years supporting individuals in crisis. Her clinical experience includes trauma, addiction, comorbid mental health disorders, OCD, anxiety, and attachment‑related concerns. She has worked at The Women’s Home and now focuses her private practice on OCD, trauma, and attachment issues. Kristen is licensed in Texas and California.

Outside of work, Kristen is an avid traveler and enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, practicing yoga and Pilates, and taking long walks with her rescue pitbull.

Fees:
$210 for 60-minute intake
$185 per 50-minute session

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