Kristy Yetman

A book changed my life.  Actually one moment in a book changed my life and if that sounds dramatic, it's because it WAS. The book was The Family Crucible by Augustus Napier and Carl Whitaker, an assigned reading for my Sociology 2132, which follows one family’s experience in family therapy. In one scene, the parents—David and Carolyn—are locked in an argument that feels painfully familiar. As the tension builds, David explodes while Carolyn shuts down. The therapist later explains that they are caught in a dance—a set of unspoken agreements, learned roles, and predictable steps that keep them moving in the same painful circle.

That moment stayed with me.

I began to recognize those same invisible dances in my own relationships—the ways we show up, react, protect ourselves, and unknowingly invite the very responses we’re trying to avoid. I became deeply curious about how these patterns form, why they persist, and how people can begin to change them.

That curiosity led me to enroll in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. For the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside individuals as they explore self-discovery, self-compassion, and personal growth.

Over the years, my work has increasingly focused on trauma—how early experiences shape our nervous systems, our relationships, and the way we move through the world. In 2023, I completed my certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based approach that can be especially helpful in processing traumatic or overwhelming experiences.

I am a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in the state of North Carolina.

My Approach

At the heart of my work is creating a safe, supportive space where you can explore past trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, and other life experiences that may feel confusing, overwhelming, or even embarrassing to talk about. My approach is warm, authentic, and relational, with room for honest conversation, humor, and a natural flow that helps therapy feel more human and less clinical.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We’ll work together to make sense of what you’re experiencing and move forward at a pace that feels right for you.

And if you have photos of your dog, I definitely want to see them.