Kristi Mears

My Passion

Sometimes the most painful experiences are the ones that bring us the deepest healing. That has certainly been true in my life. After experiencing the power of therapy myself, I decided to commit my career to helping others in the same way.

My husband and I are both ordained pastors. In our 21 years of marriage, we have served in various leadership roles at multiple churches. I actually have an Associates degree in theology from Portland Bible College!

My Approach

Mindfulness therapy is a big part of my approach, whether I’m working with a spouse who is suffering the effects of infidelity and betrayal trauma or counseling someone dealing with depression. Mindfulness teaches us to be aware of our emotions, so we can move from judging them (for example, depression is “bad”) to a place of self-compassion and care.

I also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps us see how our thoughts drive our feelings and actions. When we address negative beliefs about ourselves, we can change our feelings and actions.

My Training

• Undergraduate Degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership, George Fox University

• M.S. in Counseling Psychology, California Baptist University

• Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), IITAP

• Certified Partner and Trauma Therapist (CPTT), ITTAP

• Mindfulness Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy