Kristen Poppert, LPC

My Approach

I am an attachment based therapist who draws from numerous modalities including EMDR, play therapy, sand tray therapy, Internal Family Systems, TBRI, theraplay, and Narrative. I am passionate about bringing families together with interventions grounded in attachment research and neuroscience.   Sessions with me are full of humor and playfulness which allows for me to create an environment that is nurturing and warm.  These elements foster my ability to develop strong relationships with my clients. My work often has a strong parenting component so I can support families with a dynamic approach.

I believe in several key principles:

• Parenting is at its best when it is present and playful.
• Children and teens gain important emotional regulation skills when they are kept close during hard times and tough emotions are embraced.
• Kids learn best through correction not punishment.
• Lastly, we can’t lead our children to places we aren’t willing to go ourselves. This means parents have to be willing to do their own work in order to see the changes they want to see in their children.

My Training

Psychology has been my passion since I was a student of Bend High School.  In 2003, I received my Bachelors in Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology from St. Mary’s College. During college, I received a research grant to study the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis programs for the treatment of children with autism.  For four years after, I worked with children and teens with developmental delays.  In 2010, I started a psychology doctoral program at Pacific University. During the program, I received my M.S. in Clinical Psychology. I left my doctoral program early to pursue my passion for therapy in the best way possible – full time direct client work.

My 15 year career has always focused on children, teens, and families.  I have presented research at national conferences on executive functioning and neuropsychological assessment measures.  There have been many settings I have worked in including community mental health, a large research hospital, and a group practice in Utah.  In 2017, I started Thriving Families and in 2021 I opened it up to a group practice where I hired therapists.  I am licensed in Oregon and Utah.

Outside of Work

I love to be outside! On my free time, I spend time paddle boarding, skiing (alpine and nordic), hiking, biking, playing tennis, and wandering dirt paths with my toddler.  I avoid cooking at all costs and enjoy having a yoga and mindfulness practice.  I have a husband, son, stepson, a therapy dog named Lucy, and a cranky cat named Buckaroo.