Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Stevens.
Kristi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
This story, this part of my life, begins with taking a chance, knowing that I could fail. My children and friends have seen my “voyage” but I want other women and individuals to know that they can find it within themselves to not only seek out what is meaningful to them, their dreams, but they can find the courage and strength to pursue those dreams.
I am 49 years old. I am single after being married for 21 years. I am a private person and do not typically share the details that I am about to share, but I think it can be empowering to those who need it.
I went back to school before I separated from my husband. He was not very supportive of that or me working throughout our marriage. I have three boys. They are ages 26, 24, and 21. They are my heart.
After I went back to school for psychology, which I started taking the remainder of my sciences and math at a community college, I separated from my husband. This was a terrible time that lasted 1.5 years. We no longer speak even about the kids, unfortunately. I lost weight through my divorce and got down to a very low weight. I had not struggled with an eating disorder at that time in over 20 years, but that threw me back into it. But I recognized what was happening to me, became more mindful of my behavior, and changed what I was doing.
I graduated with my bachelor’s in psychology in 2019 from Texas A&M University-Commerce and continued to get my master’s degree in science, counseling. I graduated this past August 2022. I struggled tremendously financially, because being single in graduate school is not cheap! There were months that I barely made rent and had to decide on gas or food. I had friends and family that continued to encourage me.
I now work at Ellie Mental Health Plano and in McKinney, at Transitions Therapeutic Services. I specialize in eating disorders, self-harm, trauma, and grief counseling for individuals and adults. I want to help those in areas in that I personally struggled. I love my work. I am excited to be where I am. I still struggle, as I am playing catch up financially, but I am happy to be done with school and be able to work, doing something that I absolutely love.
Best part, my children saw what I did and were so proud of me. My youngest son, who has 22q 11.2 distal deletion, which comes with learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, and several other things, tells me he feels motivated because of what I accomplished. That is worth all of it alone.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Divorce, finances as a single woman after 21 years of marriage, going back to school at a later time in life, cost of graduate school and internship, son with a disability.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a psychotherapist, counselor. I work with individuals, couples, and families. I specialize in shame, informed treatment for eating disorders, trauma, and self-harm. I also work with those struggling with grief, depression, anxiety, and life transitions. I have previously worked with children that have autism as a behavioral technician. So, I also have a passion for working with individuals and families that struggle with autism.
What do you think about luck?
I’m not sure that luck has had much to do with anything that I have accomplished. I made a choice, and I stuck to it. It was extremely difficult, but I finished graduate school and everything it took to get my licensure. There was no luck there.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-stevens-89759921/
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/kristi-stevens-plano-tx/1049111
Image Credits
JC pennies
Scott Harkins
Blake Moore
Sam Stevens
