Individual Therapy, Family therapy, and couples counseling services.
Based in Austin, Serving all of Texas online
Psychotherapist
Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy
Texas Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #202415
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional #637395
Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional #290119
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My specialties include:
*Relationship Therapy (couples counseling, individual relational support, family therapy with adult children and their parents, cross cultural couples)
*Sex Therapy (including desire discrepancy/ out of control sexual behaviors/recovery from infidelity/ENM/expansive sexuality),
*Trauma Therapy (including EMDR for trauma and PTSD recovery),
*Premarital Counseling (State of Texas approved Premarital Educator),
*Discernment Counseling/Therapeutic Separation Support
*Co-Parenting/Blended Family Support
*Working with US Veterans and First Responder Couples
*Men's Issues
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Hi, I'm Kristal
My Mission
Maybe this sounds familiar: You're intelligent, high-functioning, and committed to self-improvement and life optimization. You devour self-help books, tune into countless podcasts, and feel confident about your abilities in most areas of your life.
But when it comes to your intimate relationships, something's just not clicking. Trying to make changes in your relationship feels like hitting a brick wall. You're left feeling disconnected, in constant conflict, and unsure of yourself. You feel like you've tried everything but are still stuck in relationship limbo.
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Trust me, I get it.
Hi, I'm Kristal DeSantis, and not too long ago, I was right where you are now. Successful in many areas of life, but when it came to relationships, I felt like I was missing the memo. Despite my best efforts, I felt out of sync, out of touch, and out of confidence when it came to love.
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But instead of throwing in the towel, I swapped my frustration for curiosity, my confusion for determination, and I decided to dive deeper.
Learning the secret to finding and keeping love was a nut I was determined to crack.
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After a decade of education, research, and clinical work with couples, I developed the STRONG Model—a trauma-informed, attachment-based approach designed to provide every motivated individual with a clear, easy-to-follow roadmap for creating fulfilling relationships.
But my work isn’t just theoretical; it’s deeply personal. I met my husband in 2010, and through a passion for growth, a commitment to open communication, and dedication to supporting each other, we’ve built a resilient and deeply connected marriage. This blend of professional expertise and personal experience fuels my passion to guide others toward the same fulfillment in their relationships.​
If you're tired of settling for less in your life and relationships, tired of repeating old cycles of pain and heartbreak, I'm here to help.
As your personal relationship guide, I'll share what I have learned and equip you with the skills and mindset you need to build the extraordinary relationship you deserve. From honing your communication to deepening intimacy and overcoming past traumas, I'll be your guide as we'll tackle it all.
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It's time to take charge and get results. No more mediocre relationships. No more wasted time. If you're serious about getting STRONG in love and in life, I've got the guide and I've got your back.
Book your consultation today and let's make it happen.
Therapy with Me
What is Trauma-Informed Therapy?
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Trauma-informed therapy primarily focuses on helping individuals understand and manage their relationship with their own nervous system. Trauma can significantly disrupt this relationship, leading to a dysregulated nervous system. Trauma therapy aims to guide individuals in finding safety within their bodies and emotions through self-regulation. However, healing from trauma extends beyond self-regulation. A crucial ongoing aspect of this work is learning to regulate oneself within relationships and fostering safety in connection with others.
What is the difference between your STRONG Model of Relational Therapy and other approaches?
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With my foundation in couples therapy and specialized trauma certification, I recognized that traditional couples therapy often focuses on cognitive approaches and may not fully address the impact of underlying trauma. This can lead to challenges, especially with couples experiencing high conflict. I work with couples to explore the underlying attachment injuries and past traumas that contribute to protective and conflict-causing behaviors. By creating a space where these wounds can be addressed without being re-triggered, I aim to help couples move past impasses and toward healing.
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What's the Benefit of a Trauma-Informed Couples Therapy Approach?
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The primary benefit of a trauma-informed couples therapy approach is that it is client-centered, with goals set by the clients and sessions paced according to their individual processing needs. This approach recognizes that progress toward deeper connection happens only when both partners feel safe enough to take the necessary steps. Trauma-informed care creates a space where individuals can learn to trust their own judgment and move toward living in alignment with their inner wisdom and core values. My approach helps couples understand how trauma affects their relationship and focuses on developing skills to co-regulate, manage conflict, and communicate in healthier ways, ultimately building a stronger connection.
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Contact
Email: info@austinstrongrbc.com
Follow my therapy page @atxtherapist on Instagram