Kristen Buongiorno , LCSW

Kristen Buongiorno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 14 years of clinical experience working with diverse populations. She has supported people coping with depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, major life transitions, illness including cancer, sexual assault, and Veterans issues such as combat trauma and military sexual trauma. Kristen combines compassion with direct, practical guidance and does not shy away from the difficult conversations that often lead to meaningful change.

Safety is a primary concern in her practice; when needed she helps clients develop safety plans and practical strategies to manage risk. Her work is grounded in the connection between thoughts and behaviors, drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles, and she integrates mindfulness and meditation practices to help clients feel more grounded and build self-care routines. Kristen views therapy as a collaborative process in which the client is the expert on their own life, and she partners with each person to set realistic treatment goals and develop steps toward those goals.

Kristen affirms the decision to pursue help and encourages motivated clients to take active steps toward change. She welcomes the opportunity to support people as they navigate healing, growth, and recovery.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Kristen Buongiorno

Kristen commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, a practical approach that explores how thoughts and behaviors interact. CBT helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns, test new ways of responding, and develop skills to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress-related difficulties. She also integrates mindfulness therapy, which uses grounding exercises and focused awareness to reduce reactivity, improve emotional regulation, and support coping with trauma and life transitions. Client-centered therapy is another foundation of her work - it emphasizes empathy, respect, and a collaborative relationship in which the client’s values and goals shape the direction of treatment.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Kristen works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time to support progress and resilience.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, and other responsibilities, and they allow people to receive consistent support from their home or another convenient location. Licensed professionals can adapt therapeutic tools to each format, helping clients access effective care in a way that suits their life.