About kRISTA GERDTS, lmft
I believe in the transformative power of a safe space.
Hi, I'm glad you're here. I'm a therapist based in Santa Monica/Los Angeles, working with adults and young adults throughout California who are ready to break free from patterns that no longer serve them — and start living a life that actually feels like theirs.
I've been doing this work since 2018, driven by a deep curiosity about what it means to truly heal and grow. What I've found is that most of us are carrying old stories — about who we are, what we deserve, and what's possible for us — that quietly shape everything. My work is about helping you rewrite those stories.
I believe therapy works best when you feel safe enough to show up as you truly are. Together, we'll explore what's been holding you back, build the tools to move through it, and work toward a life with more confidence, connection, and meaning. Whatever brought you here, I'm glad you took this step.
please Hear me when I say:
You deserve a life you’re eager to wake up to.
While there’s no roadmap for navigating the complexities of life, therapy can offer support, clarity and direction. You deserve more than just getting through the day—you deserve a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling.
How I work
Where your story is met with honesty, care, and real tools for change.
I strive to create a space where your story is heard. I want you to feel like your story truly matters here. In our work together, I'll invite you to slow down, notice what's happening inside, and begin to understand yourself in a new way. I'll walk alongside you as a steady presence while we explore the thoughts, emotions, and patterns that have been shaping your life — sometimes without you even realizing it.
I know what it's like to lie awake with anxiety that won't quiet down, to have the past resurface when you least expect it, or to be facing a transition that makes everything feel uncertain and overwhelming. You don't have to have it figured out to show up here. What I care most about is that you leave each session with something real — tools you can actually use when life gets hard. I'll share my own reflections when they're helpful, challenge you when there's room to grow, and always honor the weight of what you've been carrying.
I do my own work too. I believe that's a non-negotiable — because I know how vulnerable it is to truly show up for this process, and I won't ask you to go anywhere I haven't been willing to go myself. I'll also be honest with you, even when it's uncomfortable, because real growth often starts with naming the things we've been avoiding.
Together, we'll untangle what feels heavy, build skills you can carry forward, and work toward a version of yourself that feels more grounded, clear, and free.
specializing in:
Anxiety
Trauma
Relationships
Depression
My Training & Education
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology & Mental Health Counseling — Chapman University
Certified EMDR therapist