Therapist profile
Kristen Buongiorno, LCSW
New Jersey
LCSW - Anxiety and Codependency focused
Continue with KristenWhere Kristen stands
- Credentials
- LCSW
- License
- LCSW, New Jersey / 44SC05608900
- NPI
- 1770981623
- Experience
- 14 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- New Jersey
About
- CBT strategies
- Mindfulness skills
- DBT informed work
About Kristen
Kristen Buongiorno is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New Jersey with 14 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship struggles, and issues such as grief, addiction, ADHD, and codependency. Sessions focus on clear goals and practical steps rather than vague talk.
She uses a client-centered stance that keeps the person's experience central. That means listening first, then suggesting strategies that fit the person's life. Kristen links thoughts and behavior using cognitive behavioral thinking and teaches simple mindfulness techniques to reduce reactivity and increase calm.
Kristen describes her style as direct and collaborative. She will have honest conversations and help people make safety plans when needed. Together they set concrete goals and try small, manageable changes between sessions.
Her background includes work with people facing illness and cancer, sexual assault, veterans' issues including combat and military sexual trauma, and major life transitions. That experience informs practical supports for coping, communication, and setting boundaries without blaming the person for struggles that developed over time.
Sessions often mix talk, problem-solving, and skill practice. Kristen may use elements of DBT skills for emotion regulation and motivational interviewing to support readiness for change. She challenges unhelpful thinking, guides small behavior experiments, and teaches grounding exercises to help reduce overwhelming emotions.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Kristen commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices in her sessions. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors; it works well for anxiety, depression, and codependency patterns by helping people try different responses. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing exercises to reduce reactivity and increase moment-to-moment calm, which can make it easier to practice new behaviors between sessions.She also integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for emotion regulation when strong feelings get in the way of goals. That means learning brief skills to steady intense emotions and improve decision-making. Deciding which mix of approaches to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try techniques, and adjust based on what helps most.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm the exact online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, and allow quicker check-ins when life gets busy. In practice, clients can expect structured conversations, skill coaching, and short exercises to try between meetings to build momentum.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
New Jersey
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and related concerns including grief, addiction, relationship issues, and codependency.
What is her therapeutic approach like?
She uses a client-centered approach with cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness. The focus is on clear goals, practical steps, and skill practice.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 14 years of clinical experience working with people facing illness, sexual assault, veterans' issues, and major life changes.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New Jersey and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How are fees handled?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.