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LOCATION
Beach Cities Mental Health
Hawthorne Blvd. Ste. 229
Torrance, CA 90505
Contact Me
kknaus@beachcitiesmh.org
Kristen Knaus
Kristen Knaus
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Hello, my name is Kristen, and I’m so glad you’re here. I bring a calm, compassionate, and empathetic presence to my work, and I strive to create a safe and supportive space where clients can explore life’s challenges, transitions, and emotional experiences.
Do you find yourself feeling stuck in your thoughts? Are you hoping to better understand your patterns in relationships or how your past may be shaping your present? You may be longing for deeper connection—with others, with yourself, or both. Together, we can thoughtfully explore your experiences and work toward meaningful, lasting change.
I work with individuals and couples to better understand the underlying causes of distress. Whether we are exploring behavioral patterns, navigating complex relationship dynamics, or processing past experiences, I draw from a range of approaches—including person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy—to tailor our work to your unique needs. EMDR can be a powerful approach for processing distressing experiences and reducing the emotional intensity of triggers.
I recognize that vulnerability can feel challenging, and I approach each session with care, curiosity, and respect. My role is to listen, support, and guide you while also helping you develop tools to navigate difficult emotions and experiences. Taking the step to seek therapy is a meaningful act of courage, and I look forward to supporting you as you build on your strengths, deepen your self-understanding, and move toward your personal goals.
I am currently offering EMDR services and would be happy to explore with you whether this approach may be a helpful part of your therapeutic journey.
Under the supervision of Kevin Niehaus, PsyD, LPCC – Beach Cities Mental Health.
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
Abuse
Addiction
Adjustment Disorders
Adoption / Foster Care Issues
Aggression and Violence
Agoraphobia
Anger Management
Anxiety
Attachment Issues
Attention Deficit (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum
Behavioral Issues
Body Dysmorphia
Body Image
Burnout
Career Counseling
Child or Adolescent
Codependency
Communication Problems
Coping Mechanisms
Couples/Marriage/Relationships
Depression
Dissociative Disorders
Divorce
Domestic Abuse
Dual Diagnosis
Emotional Disturbance
Family Conflict
Gender or Sexual Identity Exploration
Grief & Loss
Highly Sensitive Persons
Hyper Sexuality or Sexual Compulsions
Identity Issues
Impulse Control Disorders
Incarceration & Re-entry
Infertility
Infidelity and Affair Recovery
Internet & Gaming Dependence
Social Media Dependence
Isolation
Life Transitions
Meditation & Mindfulness
Midlife Crisis
Migrant/Immigrant/Refugee Concerns
Military/Veteran Issues
Mood Disorders
Multicultural Concerns
Obsessions and Compulsions
Oppositional Defiance Disorder
Panic
Parenting
Perfectionism
Perinatal & Postpartum Mental Health
Personality Disorders
Phobias
Premarital Counseling
Racial Stress & Trauma
Racial/Cultural Identity
Relationship & Interpersonal Issues
Religious Trauma
Self Esteem
Sexual Assault, Abuse, or Harassment
Sleep Issues or Insomnia
Socioeconomic Stress/Issues
Stress
Substance Use
Suicidal Ideation
Teen Violence
Thought Disorders
Trauma
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues
TREATMENT ORIENTATION
12-Step Facilitation Therapy
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Couple and Family Systems Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT),
Emotion-focused therapy (EFT)
EMDR & EMD Processing
Family/Marital Therapy
Humanistic
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Marital Couple/ Family Communication Therapy
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative
Person-Centered/Rogerian
Psychodynamic
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Trauma Focused Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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