Natalie Criss
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor
I identify as lesbian. Pronouns she/her
A Little About Me
1: Where did you go to college/grad school?
I got my BA from St. John's Univeristy and got my counseling Master's from Marshall Univeristy.
2. What certifications do you have? What do you specialize in?
I specialize in treating the LGBTQIA community along with PTSD. I am trained in EMDR and Trauma Focused CBT.
3. How many years of experience do you have/what kind of experience do you have?
I have been licensed since 2013. I started my career working with foster kids as well as adults battling addiction and trauma. I started working in private practice in 2015 shortly after my first daughter was born and focused more on treating teens and adults in the LGBTQIA community. I started this practice in 2020 and I have loved doing telehealth and helping people transform!
4. What is important for clients to know about you?
I'm a real person, just like you. I have flaws and insecurities that I am always working on. I take a very laid back approach. I am not stuffy. I want to build a good therapeutic relationship so we can help you make the most out of your sessions and your work outside of sessions.
5. How often do you meet with your clients and for how long?
I usually like to meet weekly for the first month or so, depending on the severity of symptoms but after that it is open for discussion. Most of my clients are on bi-weekly or monthly appointments.
6. What are some of your favorite therapy techniques/coping skills?
I LOVE EMDR. I have watched so many of my clients transform by using that technique. I truly feel it is the best tool I possess to help you with. My favorite coping skill is pretty basic. I love the '5 things' technique. I used it help my anxious 8 year old when she has panic attacks and it works every time.
7. What are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about mental health. I'm passionate about my family and my community. I'm passionate about being a good mom and wife. I'm passionate about kindness and compassion.
8. What do you like to do in your downtime?
I like to play Royal Match, snuggle my cat, take my kids on adventures, go to Disney World, visit family, binge watch shows that I love (Dexter, The L Word, Stranger Things, Downton Abbey, You, I could go on forever). If I am feeling motivated, I might go to the gym.
Nikki Barr
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
I identify as Cis/Hetero. Pronouns she/her
A Little About Me
1: Where did you go to college/grad school? Marshall University
2. What certifications do you have? What do you specialize in?
I specialize in trauma. I am trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Certified Shame-Informed Treatment Specialist, and trained in DBT.
3. How many years of experience do you have/what kind of experience do you have?
I have 10 years of experience. I worked several years at a foster care agency with foster children as well as the community. I then spent 6 years at Marshall University working with college students, and I've spent several years working with Teladoc Health.
4. What is important for clients to know about you?
I really enjoy building a partnership with the client so I can meet them where they are and then we can work together to assure that they do not stay there. I am a safe place and I really strive for my clients to feel comfortable, heard, and seen.
5. How often do you meet with your clients and for how long?
I work with clients on their schedule based on what works for them. We do weekly to biweekly to monthly based on their needs for 45-60 minutes each.
6. What are some of your favorite therapy techniques/coping skills?
I believe Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person Centered are both really strong ways of working through the difficulty in your life. I really enjoy working with clients on cognitive restructuring because our thoughts have so much power. Understanding how to control them can calm our nervous systems.
7. What are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about people understanding how much control and power they can have over their own mental health and having someone in their corner that they feel that they can talk to and feel heard and understood.
8. What do you like to do in your downtime?
Spend time with my friends and family, cook, read, hike, and go to Disney World.