Kristen Christopher, LMHC

Kristen Christopher, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of Sea Hope Counseling in St. Augustine, Florida, where she provides compassionate, individualized therapy for children, families, and adults. With nearly three years of clinical experience, Kristen specializes in child-centered play therapy, family counseling, and parenting support, with a particular focus on neurodivergent populations, including children with autism, ADHD, and giftedness. Her practice emphasizes meeting clients where they are and creating a safe, nurturing environment that promotes growth, healing, and self-discovery.

As someone who is legally blind and gifted herself, Kristen brings a deeply personal understanding to her work with neurodivergent clients. She serves children as young as three years old, using child-centered play therapy to allow each child to guide their own healing process. Kristen’s approach emphasizes flexibility, problem-solving, autonomy, and creativity, helping clients develop the skills and confidence to navigate life’s challenges. Her philosophy centers on empowering clients to become active participants in their own growth, fostering resilience and self-efficacy in the process.

In addition to her clinical work, Kristen serves as an adjunct professor at Flagler College, teaching courses on behavior modification. She also holds multiple professional certifications, including Child-Centered Play Therapy, Safe and Sound Practitioner, Certified Grief-Informed Counselor, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Informed Specialist. Prior to becoming a counselor, Kristen spent eight years as a professional dog trainer specializing in aggression, a unique experience that informs her compassionate, patient-centered approach to therapy today.

Kristen offers a variety of specialized services tailored to the needs of her clients, including individual therapy for adults, parenting support, play therapy for children, and interventions such as the Safe and Sound Protocol to promote nervous system regulation and emotional safety. She also provides counseling for aviation professionals and their families, offering support for the unique stresses and responsibilities of life in the aviation industry. Across all her work, Kristen combines evidence-based techniques with empathy, understanding, and an unwavering commitment to her clients’ growth.

Outside of her professional life, Kristen enjoys hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, reading, and spending time with her family and animals. She brings the same curiosity, balance, and dedication to her personal life that she does to her work, serving as a model of resilience and empowerment. Through Sea Hope Counseling, Kristen continues to create spaces where individuals and families can navigate life’s challenges, cultivate their strengths, and discover the hope and confidence to move forward.

• Walden University Masters
• Flagler College Undergraduate

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist
• Certified Grief-Informed Counselor (CGC)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Informed Specialist (ASDIS)
• Certified Safe and Sound Practitioner

• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA)

• Mentorship and adjunct teaching at Flagler College; support for rescue animals and veteran programs through dog training