My Approach to Helping
“The origin of the conflict, frustration, and anxiety we experience does not lie in the nature of the world itself but in our distorted conceptions of the world.” – Stephen Batchelor
Kirsten Norr’s life experiences have instilled patience and compassion in her, as well as an approach to counseling rooted in humbled curiosity. While being trained in a contemplative approach, she also draws from existential and behavioral modalities and will often incorporate holistic modalities. Kirsten is inspired to make therapy an accessible and beneficial tool to navigate life’s complex experiences and transitions. Her love of Buddhism informs her approachable, warm, and grounding presence, while her New York upbringing provides a space for humor and a touch of pragmatic introspection.
Through Foundations Counseling, Kirsten Norr provides counseling to people who are navigating the following areas:
• Relationship and Couples Counseling – couples counseling, communication, affair recovery, codependency, pre-marital counseling, sexuality and intimacy issues, alternative relationships, conflict resolution, divorce and divorce recovery, emotional affairs, infidelity, blended families, financial issues, non-traditional relationships, second marriages
• Mental Health and Wellness – anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, boundaries, anger management, life transitions, holistic health, infertility, self-esteem, self-care, mindfulness training
• Individual Counseling – anxiety, women’s empowerment, boundaries, life coaching, divorce recovery, codependency, catastrophic thinking, perfectionism, fears and phobias, self-worth issues, abandonment issues, panic attacks, life transitions, self-discovery, communication skills
• Adolescents and Teens – self-esteem and self-worth issues, gender identity, anxiety, depression, school and family issues, effects of divorce, communication issues, loss of parent or loved one, life coaching and goal setting
Kirsten has a Master of Arts Degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology from Naropa University. She also received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of San Diego. Kirsten is a Certified Meditation Instructor in Shamatha-Vipashyana Meditation.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Kirsten has returned to the clinical mental health field after a career in television and documentary work. Between projects that took her all over the globe, she spent time teaching English at a Buddhist monastery in Nepal which sparked her interest in Buddhist philosophies. Buddhism has become the catalyst for her return to a profession where she has been providing support for people in their journeys of emotional growth and well-being.
Kirsten has extensive experience working with women striving to develop self-compassion, empowerment, and create boundaries in their lives. She also has a passion for working with couples and has spent a significant amount of time with couples seeking maintenance for their connections as well as navigating conflicts.