Kristen Tucci, LMFT

People have been opening up to me my whole life. Long before I became a therapist, I kept hearing the same thing – “I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this. I never tell anyone these things but for some reason I want to tell you.” For years I just listened. It wasn’t until I was 34 that I realized this was supposed to be my career.

I’m a solution-focused therapist, which means we spend our time figuring out how to move you forward rather than circling the past on repeat.

Some of my clients have told me that talking about the same painful experiences over and over keeps them stuck in a negative headspace. I hear that, so we’ll acknowledge what happened and understand how it’s affecting you, but the real work is in creating small actionable steps that get you closer to where you want to be.

I don’t like to sit behind a desk. I prefer to sit catty corner with my clients or across from them on a couch because I don’t want a table creating a physical barrier between us. That separation creates a power dynamic I have no interest in. We’re equals in my room. When I work with autistic clients, I sit on the floor with them so we’re at the same level, and that small adjustment makes a big difference in how comfortable they feel.

I’m a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and some of my most meaningful work has been with young clients navigating identity and orientation.

I helped a 15-year-old client tell their parents they were transgender and wanted to begin hormones. Being part of that coming out story and watching them begin living in their truth was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. I’ve also worked with a severely autistic 12-year-old who had never attended a session without a family member in the room. She chose to come in alone with me. That kind of trust takes time, and when it happens it confirms everything about why I do this work.

I work with people of all ages, from as young as 3 to adults at any stage of life. I’m especially comfortable with kids, pre-teens, and young adults, and I love individual work where I can focus entirely on one person and help them achieve their personal goals.

One thing I want people to know is that therapy doesn’t have to be about only talking through painful experiences. You can come in and share good news where we celebrate a win or just talk through something you’re excited about. Therapy with me is conversational. I talk like a friend, I let you curse if you need to, and I don’t throw clinical jargon at you until it feels like a doctor’s appointment. I want you to feel like you can relax and say whatever comes to mind.

Outside of sessions, I write music and record my own vocals at home because I love creating something from nothing. I do crossword puzzles, pilates, and spend time with the people who keep me grounded. Taking care of myself outside of work makes me better inside the room, because this work can be heavy and I need to bring lightness and energy with me every day.

If you’re hesitant about starting, I want you to know that it won’t feel like an interrogation. It will feel like a conversation with someone who gets it.