Dr. Kristin Ljungberg
A Compassionate, Emotionally Focused Approach To Therapy
Since a young age, I have experienced a deep empathy for those who were experiencing pain and I have maintained a soft spot for those who struggle mentally and emotionally. As I got older, I developed a passion for learning more about human behavior and psychology. After pursuing my graduate coursework and additional certifications to further expand my clinical expertise, I have had the opportunity to help both individuals and couples achieve their full potential. Therapy has been a lifetime calling for me, and it has been a tremendous privilege to help others through painful periods and life transitions.
While I maintain an avid interest in relationships, I know that such work is not limited to romantic couples or partnerships. Rather, I have found that I am invested in helping individuals navigate all of their various relationships—from their home lives to their work environments and extending out to their family and friends. The vast majority of clients with whom I have helped have struggled with some sort of relational hardship, demonstrating just how common these issues and their consequences are.
As beings with emotions, we are wired to bond with others. Therefore, it’s natural to be distressed when we feel misunderstood or disconnected from others, especially in our closest, most deeply held relationships. When those relationships experience strain or disruptions, our mental health can be compromised. But if we repair those relationships, we foster a sense of reconnection with our loved ones, and a sense of stability is restored. This process is significantly quickened and improved with the support of a therapist or counselor.
Despite my formal graduate training in therapy, I am certainly not exempt from the pain that is part of our human experience, and thus, I can bring a deep sense of humanity and compassion into my work. I have discovered over many years of self-reflection and personal growth that while pain is an inevitable part of being human, suffering does not have to be. I see myself and my own life as constantly evolving, and I embrace opportunities for self-growth. This growth, in particular, is fostered by a close connection to nature and by spending time with and learning from my loved ones. My role as a psychotherapist has evolved through many years of educational training alongside the learning experiences I have had in both my client relationships and my personal life.
My empathetic nature and my perceptive listening skills combine to help me form a highly effective client-therapist relationship. Moreover, I have advanced training in emotionally focused therapy (EFT). Research has found that 70-75% of couples undergoing emotionally focused therapy successfully move from distress to recovery, and approximately 90% show significant improvements in their relationship satisfaction. It is incredibly rewarding to provide therapy to others in Connecticut and to witness the healing of their relationships.
EFT is the only model of couple intervention that uses an empirically validated theory of adult bonding as the basis for understanding and alleviating relationship problems. Strategies from emotionally focused therapy can also be used in family therapy to help family members connect and improve emotional attachment. The goal of emotionally focused therapy is to help couples and families create secure, lasting bonds and to increase feelings of security, closeness, and connection in intimate relationships.
I regard myself as a spiritually open person who can recognize the capacity for wisdom that exists in all people. I view my work as an opportunity to help those who are struggling to tap into their inner wisdom. It is a tremendous honor when an individual chooses to seek my counsel and allows me to work beside them in their life journey, however brief that time may be.
Whether you are reconciling a relationship, reeling from a loss, or simply in search of emotional support, please explore my website to find out more about my therapeutic approach. My practice is based out of Avon and I also offer counseling services to the greater central Connecticut region via Telehealth sessions.
Dr. Kristin Ljungberg has been practicing therapy for 28 years. After studying psychology during her undergrad at Clark University, Dr. Ljungberg went on to receive a Master’s in marriage and family therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA, and a doctorate in psychology from Argosy University in Honolulu, HI. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in community health settings and outpatient clinics. She obtained advanced training and supervision in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and she is also a Certified Hypnotherapist.