Kristen Clute, PhD

Welcome to my website. I’m Kristen Clute, PhD. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #97187) and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC #3669) in California. It is my deepest professional honor to have helped guide the healing journeys of clients since 2011. Therapeutic Approach As a humanistic-existential therapist, I believe that healing and growth happen when you feel truly seen, heard, and valued. My approach is person-centered, meaning that you – not just your symptoms, but your whole self – are at the heart of our work together. My priority is to provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where we can explore your thoughts and feelings in ways that are most meaningful to you. Together, we will work toward greater clarity, self-awareness, and empowerment – helping you connect with what truly matters and guiding you toward embracing your most authentic and fulfilling life. Therapy is a collaborative journey, and I am here to walk alongside you as we navigate life’s challenges. Whether we are developing coping strategies, identifying personal values and goals, breaking old patterns, setting healthy boundaries, or building self-efficacy, self-compassion, and self-love, my goal is to support you in creating meaningful, lasting change. For me, therapy isn’t just about managing symptoms or resolving conflicts – it’s also about learning to open your heart again to real, sustainable joy. So often, we become so focused on what feels “wrong” or “broken” in our lives that we forget our innate capacity to experience a deep sense of peace, comfort, inner stillness, creative flow, and fulfillment. My hope is that, together, we can not only reduce your distress, but also help you access the possibilities for joy that exist in your life. You DO deserve it. This IS your time. And I believe in you. Let’s allow for healing to start here. Together. Education My academic journey has been shaped by a deep passion for understanding human experiences, creativity, and connection. I hold the following degrees: B.A. Anthropology, UC Santa Barbara B.A. Black Studies, UC Santa Barbara M.A. Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy and Clinical Counseling specializations, Saybrook University Ph.D. Psychology, Creativity Studies specialization, Saybrook University I am honored to have earned a 2022-2023 Dissertation with Distinction Award from Saybrook University for my doctoral dissertation titled, “Online Person-Centered Expressive Arts for Helping Professionals During COVID-19: A Mixed-Methods Case Study Exploring Professional Stress and Resilience.” This work reflects my commitment to the intersections of research and applied psychology and of using creativity and a safe, supportive environment to engage, uplift, and empower others - especially in challenging times. Personal About Me Outside of my clinical practice, I am a wife and mother of two young daughters. Our home in Orange County, CA, is always full of laughter and the chaos of enjoying life with our two dogs, three guinea pigs, a betta fish, and an aquatic snail. I find joy in reading fiction books, nature photography, art journaling, and plant-based cooking and baking with my girls. I love the simple pleasures of slow mornings, listening to vinyl records, dancing (badly), long-distance running (slowly), and always having beach sand inside of my car (I wouldn’t have life any other way). I deeply value curiosity, gaining new perspectives, and lifelong learning. My personal ethos is that I don’t engage in fear-based behavior – if my curiosity is leading me somewhere I will “do it scared.” I encourage my family to embrace the same growth mindset, living our lives guided more strongly by our creativity than by our fears. Let's Connect If you feel I would be a good therapeutic fit for you, have any questions, or would like to inquire about scheduling, please feel free to email me at kristenclutephd@gmail.com. I look forward to supporting you on your therapeutic journey. All the best, Kristen kristenclutephd@gmail.com