She earned her Ph.D. in Human Development from Virginia Tech with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She feels a call to engage in social justice work professionally, personally, and faithfully. Kristen’s research and clinical focus is on providing inclusive and supportive therapy to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) people and relationships. Her current research explores the experiences of families with transgender and gender creative children. She has published and presented her research nationally and internationally. Kristen is a clinical fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a member of the National Council on Family Relations. She recently relocated to Boone, N.C. where she enjoys the Blue Ridge Mountains with her daughter Viola and lab named Boone.