I’m Dr. Kristine Pickwith, a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY33158) and the owner of Heart Strings Therapy. I offer individual mental health services to adults navigating grief, major life transitions, and the challenges of coping with medical diagnoses. Together, we’ll explore the intricate web of emotions, experiences, and memories that make up your heart strings, helping you find clarity, connection, and a path forward. My work is deeply shaped by my values: justice, compassion, humility, authenticity, and a connection to nature. These values aren’t just words—I live by them in my personal life and integrate them into how I practice therapy.

Have you ever wondered if the therapist sitting across from you is the same person outside the office? That disconnect can make it harder to feel truly understood or vulnerable enough to share your deepest thoughts. My clients often describe me as genuine and "real," and that’s exactly how I strive to show up in the therapy room.

I bring my full personality into our work, celebrating your wins—big or small—that occur both inside and outside of therapy. Whether it’s taking the time to rest without guilt, navigating a tough conversation, or making progress on a personal goal, I’ll cheer for your victories—no matter the size. This doesn’t mean I make therapy about me; instead, I work to create a space where you feel safe bringing your whole self.

For example, I don’t expect you to filter your emotions or hide the messy parts of your experience. If you need to cry, vent, or even sit in silence, this is your space to do so without judgment. I adapt our work to meet you where you are—whether that means using humor, offering structured plans, or simply holding space for the heaviness you’re carrying.

Let’s Get Real: Who I Am as a Therapist

Breaking the Mold: Therapy Tailored to You

I’m deeply committed to recognizing my own privilege and working to decolonize therapy. “Decolonizing therapy” means acknowledging and challenging the limitations of traditional mental health frameworks that may not fully honor or align with your lived experiences. In therapy, your story is the foundation of our work and I approach it with curiosity about how your identity, culture, and values shape your journey.

I also acknowledge the role systemic barriers—such as racism, ableism, or sexism—play in mental health. Together, we’ll create a space that feels safe, affirming, and true to you —not a version of you viewed through the lens of outdated theories or frameworks that fail to honor the complexity of your unique experiences.

My Education/Training

My background in medical hospitals and mental health clinics deepened my understanding of how physical and emotional health intersect. This means I can help you navigate the unique challenges of chronic illness or grief with compassion and care that recognizes the full scope of your experience. This perspective allows me to approach therapy with compassion, collaboration, and inclusivity.

I am also a Certified Compassionate Bereavement Care Provider through the MISS Foundation, equipping me to support individuals experiencing::

• Bereavement after the loss of a loved one

• The ongoing heartbreak of caring for a loved one with dementia

• Traumatic grief that feels too heavy to process alone

• The end of significant relationships or transitions that bring unexpected sorrow

This training helps me provide care that is empathetic, grounded in understanding, and tailored to your unique experience.

My Approach

Therapy is a partnership built on compassion, trust, and respect. I value humility and authenticity, which means I see you as the expert on your life. My role is to bring insights, tools, and a collaborative spirit to help guide and support you along the way.

Nature often inspires how I think about growth and healing—it’s rarely linear. Just as the seasons bring cycles of challenge and renewal, your healing journey will have its own rhythm. Nature shows us that growth often happens quietly and over time, with seasons of rest and renewal. Similarly, your healing journey will have its own rhythm, and together we’ll honor that process with gentleness and self-compassion.

In our sessions, we’ll focus on:

• Creating a Safe Space: Your feelings are valid, and your experiences deserve to be seen and understood.

• Practical Tools for Life’s Challenges: Together, we’ll find strategies that help you manage unpredictability and build resilience. This could mean creating routines that prioritize your well-being, practicing techniques to stay grounded during moments of overwhelm, or finding ways to reconnect with the things that bring you joy.

• Moments of Connection and Joy: Even amidst heaviness, we’ll work to uncover moments of joy, self-compassion, and meaning.

Clients I’ve worked with often share how they feel more grounded, supported, and equipped to handle life’s challenges after our sessions.

I’d love to help you feel the same.