

Hi! I'm Alisa. I have always valued the importance of community and I truly believe no one is meant to get through life and the challenges that come with it, alone.
Therapy isn’t supposed to feel like performance. It’s supposed to feel like relief.
I’m Kristen — a licensed clinical social worker who’s spent over 20 years supporting people through transitions, overwhelm, and deep life work. I live in South Portland, Maine with my family, and I understand firsthand the emotional labor, coordination, and internal pressure that come with being a capable, high-achieving woman and mother.
As someone who is neurodivergent myself, I intimately understand the cost of masking — and what it takes to stop performing and start feeling and living.
I’m a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping individuals move from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to feeling understood, empowered, and capable of meaningful change.
Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable, and outwardly successful, yet privately carrying anxiety, relational strain, self-criticism, or the lasting impact of earlier life experiences. I understand how outward achievement can coexist with hidden struggle and emotional pain.
Over three decades of marriage and raising two adult children have deepened my appreciation for how complex, humbling, and transformative long-term relationships can be.
I support clients in advocating for themselves and overcoming obstacles that prevent healing. I desire to relieve pain and instill hope while concentrating on achievable objectives. I work with individuals, couples, and families.
Before becoming a counselor, I spent many years as an educator in both elementary and special education.
That experience shaped how I connect with people, meeting them where they are, listening deeply, and believing in their potential. I aim to bring that same commitment and compassion into every therapy session.
As a child, I had my share of challenges, but I’ve worked through them and never let them define me. I believe in growth, in strength, and in choosing to create the life you want to live. As a counselor, I strive to help my clients gain the power of self-understanding and realize their unique brilliance.
I strive to support people in becoming more of who they already are, not to change them, but to help them find their path with confidence and clarity. I provide direction while respecting your autonomy, always staying grounded in the belief that you are the expert on your life.
The therapeutic methods I use are informed by evidence-based practices; a strong respect for neurodiversity; and a deep understanding of anxiety, overwhelm, and what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced world. My professional path combines the best of both worlds – mental health and education – to support clients in a practical, informed, and deeply personal way.
I earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education from St. Bonaventure University and Le Moyne College, followed by a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from St. Bonaventure. Through years of teaching, forensics, and private practice, I’ve learned that lasting change starts with understanding, and that’s precisely what I aim to offer every client I work with.


Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.