Meet Kristen: The Therapist Behind the Blog

Well, hi there! I’m so glad you came to my corner of the internet and decided to read my blog. I’d like to introduce myself in a fun Q&A format (because let’s be real, a list of questions from ChatGPT is actually fun versus the group ice breaker where you have to figure out 3 ‘fun facts about yourself’ in front of a bunch of strangers).

Q&A with ChatGPT and Kristen

Q: So who are you?
A: Yep. Let’s get the boring one out of the way. I’m Kristen Callaway, a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in Oklahoma.

Q: Ah, so you work with a lot of couples and families?
A: Well….actually no. I do my best work with individuals wanting to heal from trauma. But changing my license would take more school work and fees so - here we are.

Q: What’s a book/movie/TV show you could talk about for hours?
A: The best book series is Harry Potter hands down, no arguments accepted. For the TV show, I can probably repeat verbatim multiple episodes of The Office (the Superfans Episodes are gifts that keep on giving), but I’ve re-watched enough of Schitt’s Creek that I’m getting to that level.

Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: Well being in private practice means that I’m my own boss, and set my own schedule so I’m able to balance being present for my clients, and being present for my family. What keeps me going on the hard days is seeing the transformation of clients from being weighed down with anxiety/trauma/guilt/low self-esteem/suicidal ideation to smiling with satisfaction about the progress they have made and how different their life feels with confidence, calm, and self-belief. It’s like watching flowers slowly bloom.

Q: What’s something random that brings you joy?
A: Active construction sites. I have two younger kids that are ALL about construction vehicles, and it’s so fun to see their eyes light up when the excavator digs some dirt, or the cranes are lifting something. The never-ending construction on I-35 always ensures we can see something going on.

Q: What’s a weird or fun fact about you?
A: Despite my terrible fear of heights, I’ve been skydiving (super cool, never doing it again) and I’ve climbed a 14er (meaning I’ve summited the peak of a mountain that was at an elevation of 14,000 feet or higher).

Who Do I Help and How?

I’m an attachment-based trauma therapist, working with adults that feel unable to escape the ghosts of their past and the fears of the future. I specialize in working with First Responders, Forensic Experts and Criminal Investigators, and Military personnel - as I am married to a veteran and law enforcement officer. I also frequently work with adults with Trauma and PTSD, adults with dysfunctional families and painful childhoods, and adults with anxiety and panic. I integrate EMDR (I am an EMDRIA Certified Therapist), Polyvagal Theory and somatic techniques for nervous system regulation, and some evidenced-based methods for transforming negative thought patterns and core beliefs.

What To Expect From My Blog

This blog is here to give you insights, tools, and maybe even a few “Oh wow, I do that” moments. Expect posts on topics like:

✔️ Why setting boundaries makes you panic (and how to do it anyway)
✔️ Understanding your nervous system (aka, why your brain freaks out during conflict)
✔️ Healing from trauma, PTSD, and unresolved experiences
✔️ EMDR and how it helps you actually move past old wounds
✔️ Navigating anxiety in relationships, work, and daily life
✔️ Mental health strategies for first responders and high-stress professionals
✔️ Random topics - because I have ADHD and like to go on rabbit trails

Basically, if you’ve ever felt stuck in old patterns or overwhelmed by your emotions, this blog is for you.

Let’s Stay Connected

I’ll be posting twice a month, so check back in for new posts. Or, if you’d rather not rely on memory (because let’s be real, life is busy), you can subscribe for updates.

And if anything I write resonates with you, I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to reach out, or just follow along for insights, strategies, and the occasional deep dive into why we all overthink so much.

Thanks for being here—I can’t wait to dive into these topics with you.