Andrielle Vialpando Kristinat

Associate Clinical Social Worker|Clinically Supervised

My path to becoming a therapist was deeply shaped by my own lived experiences—growing up as a first-generation, queer, and neurodivergent Latina meant learning to navigate systems and expectations that didn’t always make space for who I was. Therapy became a place where I could explore my identity, challenge harmful narratives, and begin to heal in ways that felt empowering and real. Before I trained as a therapist, I worked in crisis counseling and mental health care coordination. Those roles taught me how powerful it can be to simply be present with someone in their pain—and how much healing can happen when people feel genuinely seen and understood. I also spent time in research, studying how mental health and identity impact performance, especially for student athletes. Across all those experiences, I kept coming back to the same thing: I wanted to be someone who could help people feel safe enough to show up as themselves. Becoming a therapist felt like a natural next step. It gave me the tools to support others with intention and care—and to hold space in ways that are culturally aware, client-centered, and grounded in real, mutual trust.

As a queer, neurodivergent, first-generation Latina, I know what it’s like to grow up feeling like you have to split yourself into pieces just to belong. That lived experience deeply informs the way I show up in the therapy room. I understand how hard it can be to unlearn messages you were taught about identity, worth, or emotion, and how isolating it can feel to carry stories that your family or culture might not fully understand. Because of my background, I bring a deep awareness of systems—how they impact mental health, relationships, and a person’s sense of self. I don't just see symptoms; I see context. I work from a place of cultural humility, relational honesty, and belief in each client’s ability to reclaim their story. My personal experiences have taught me to value nuance, to listen without judgment, and to honor the strength it takes to be vulnerable, especially in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind. My hope is that clients feel not just supported, but deeply understood by someone who gets how complicated and courageous healing can be.

My approach to therapy is relational, collaborative, and grounded in trust. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatment—I take time to get to know who you are, what’s shaped you, and what healing looks like for you. I show up with warmth, honesty, and curiosity, and I invite you to do the same at your own pace. I use a mix of evidence-based tools like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness practices, but I also draw from narrative and culturally responsive approaches to help you connect with your identity and lived experiences. Whether we’re working through anxiety, trauma, grief, or identity exploration, I hold space in a way that’s affirming, nonjudgmental, and deeply attuned to your needs. Clients often describe our work together as grounding, empowering, and real. My goal is for you to feel not only supported, but also seen and understood—for all of who you are.