Kristina Dugas, LCSW

Kristina Dugas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Pennsylvania with 7 years of clinical experience supporting children, adolescents, families, and young adults. As an LCSW she holds a professional license to provide clinical social work and psychotherapy, and she has developed experience across residential living programs, school settings from elementary through high school, and outpatient services.

She has worked with people facing grief and loss, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and members of the LGBTQIA community. Kristina draws on a flexible set of evidence-based tools to match care to each person - including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, motivational interviewing, solution-focused strategies, exposure and response prevention (ERP), and the Triple P Parenting Program for caregivers.

Kristina emphasizes collaboration, working with clients to build practical skills that support coping and resilience while identifying and strengthening existing assets. Her approach centers on the individual and their current needs, aiming to empower people to manage difficulties and pursue their goals in daily life.

Evidence-Based Techniques for Online Care

Kristina uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; this approach is commonly used for anxiety, stress, and mood concerns. She also employs exposure and response prevention (ERP), a focused method that helps individuals gradually face fears and reduce avoidance behaviors, which can be especially useful for anxiety and phobias. For parents and caregivers she draws on the Triple P Parenting Program, a practical set of strategies to build consistent routines, positive behavior support, and confidence in parenting.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Kristina collaborates with clients to understand their needs, goals, and preferences, and she tailors techniques accordingly so therapy feels relevant and manageable for each person. This collaborative process helps determine which methods to try and how to adapt them over time.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how sessions happen - video calls, phone conversations, live chat, or text-based messaging - letting people fit care into busy schedules and access support from wherever they are. These options can make it easier to maintain consistent appointments, try different session formats, and continue work between meetings with a licensed professional.