Kristen S. Winters is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who attended graduate school at the University of Maine completing her studies in Counselor Education. She has received additional trainings in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech, which was founded by the developer of DBT, Marsha Linehan. Kristen has worked with both adolescents and adults using the DBT model since 2005. She currently leads the Ironwood adolescent girls DBT skills training group. Kristen whole-heartedly believes in Ironwood and what it offers families and adolescents. She feels the supportive, structured environment provides activities that address specific developmental skills and knowledge deficits which benefits emotional and behavioral well-being. Kristen is a strong advocate for the particular needs and issues related to adolescence and she works tirelessly to help her clients and their families improve their communication and develop the skills to maintain a good relationship after Ironwood.

In her spare time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family, her dog Maggie, and two cats Luba and Prima. She also loves reading, fishing, and cooking. Kristen has volunteered with Hospice for 10 plus years, giving of her time to relieve family members and/or caregivers. Kristen’s greatest passion is travel. She has traveled to 48 of the contiguous Unites States plus Hawaii and Puerto Rico and has traveled abroad as well, having spent extended periods of time in France, Spain, and Ireland. Kristen believes her experience traveling has lead to a multicultural approach and understanding of her clients. Her favorite quote is “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” - Marcus Aurelius