Kristin Thames, M.A.

Kristin felt called to became a mental health counselor because she has a genuine love for people and a passion for helping others feel seen, known, and valued. She loves hearing people’s stories, understanding what has shaped them, and helping them recognize their worth while moving toward greater healing, peace, and hope. Her Christian faith is central to the way she sees others: as being deeply valuable, created with purpose and worthy of compassion. 

Kristin earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Arts in Counseling from Northern Arizona University. She worked for several years in Arizona as a behavior specialist with children experiencing behavioral and emotional challenges, and later pursued a career in counseling after obtaining her MA. Upon moving to Knoxville, she stepped away from work to focus on raising a family and homeschooling her children. She is grateful to now professionally return to counseling at Ebenezer to pursue this calling that has remained close to her heart.

Kristin believes our minds, heart and bodies are deeply connected, and will encourage clients to consider how sleep, nutrition, movement, relationships, and spiritual well-being can support emotional health. She loves working with children, and specializes in understanding ADHD, behavior management and executive functioning. She also enjoys working with women of all ages navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, perfectionism, and relationship difficulties. She has a heart for working with the geriatric population, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, whom she has served through volunteer ministry in Young Life. Her holistic approach is compassionate, practical, and focused on the whole person. In sessions, she incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients better understand the patterns, experiences, and beliefs that influence how they think, feel, and respond, while also pursuing greater emotional awareness and mind-body wellness. She hopes to foster a space where every client feels safe, heard, and accepted exactly where they are while also utilizing practical solutions, techniques and supportive tools to help create meaningful change.

When she’s not at Ebenezer, you will likely find Kristin outside enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, through photography, gardening, hiking in the Smokies, or picnics with her family. She is an artist with a deep love of creativity and connection. Her desire to bring people together also led her to spend several years planning school social events, dances and fundraisers—and, perhaps surprisingly, she loves to DJ whenever she gets the chance!

Kristin is currently working toward licensure under the supervision of John Brower.