Head and Heart Psychotherapy
Holistic therapy for life transitions rooted in compassion and exploration.
Support for adults navigating change, anxiety, depression, relationship stress, pregnancy and parenting, and the many seasons of becoming.
Serving Vermont · Telehealth available
Welcome
I’m Kristen Pappacena, LICSW
My work is grounded in acceptance and commitment therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy and influenced by internal family systems, attachment theory, and polyvagal-informed approaches.
I hold two licenses to practice psychotherapy in Vermont: Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I have specialized training in working with parents before, during, and after pregnancy.
Before starting a private practice I worked in community-based mental health and hospital settings with a focus on interpersonal trauma, substance use, and the integration of medical and mental health care. When not in session I enjoy hiking in the Green Mountains and learning about native plants.
Specializing in
Support for the seasons that ask the most of you.
My Approach
Warm, compassionate, and holistic care.
My approach utilizes acceptance and commitment therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy to support clients in living a full life, coping with unwanted thoughts and feelings, navigating life changes, and improving relationships.
I pull from attachment theory to understand how early life experiences with caregivers influence current adult relationships. Attention is given to increasing self-compassion and understanding toward all parts of the self, changing generational patterns, processing painful experiences, and improving relationships.
I enjoy bringing gentle movement and body awareness into sessions as a resource. I believe we are at our best when all aspects of our experience are honored, even ones that seem contradictory, such as the wisdom of the head and the wisdom of the heart.
Services
Individual psychotherapy
Sessions are 53 minutes for a fee of $160. I am in network with BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont, Medicaid, and MVP. Sessions are held on a secure online video platform. My focus is on life transitions, anxiety and depression, pregnancy and parenting. Suggested frequency is weekly or every other week. You can expect personalized care focused on the goals that matter to you.
“There is a wisdom of the head and a wisdom of the heart.”— Charles Dickens
“We heal when we can be with what we feel.”— Hillary L. McBride