About
About Dauntless Counseling
sacramento anxiety and ocd therapist
Hi, I'm Kristel Roper, Licensed Therapist
Therapists are like shoes – some fit and others don’t. Here is some information about me to help you decide if I might be a good fit for you.
Prounouns: She/Her
My Background
I discovered my interest in helping people with anxiety early in my career as a therapist. I will never forget the day my teenage client realized she would be able to attend her prom because she had overcome a phobia she had struggled with her entire life. That was when I realized how much I love to see my clients’ success in overcoming their anxiety and taking back their lives. I was later fortunate enough to be able to work and receive training at a clinic that specializes in treating anxiety in its various forms.
My Approach
I work best with those who are sick of anxiety or OCD taking over their life and are ready to put in the work to overcome it. I’m here to provide you with the necessary tools and to encourage you on your journey.
I have training and experience in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which have been found to be the most effective forms of treatment for anxiety disorders. Based on your individual needs, I combine these therapeutic techniques with aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other interventions as helpful.
Finding a Good Fit
This being said, all the good therapy techniques in the world won’t matter if you don’t “vibe” well with your therapist! When you make the decision to seek therapy, it’s important to find a therapist who is a good fit for you. Not only will you feel more comfortable with the process if you have a therapist who helps you feel safe and supported, but research has found that this also leads to the best outcomes (i.e., you get where you want to go!).
For this reason, if you reach out to me and either of us feel that another therapist might be a better fit for you, then I will be happy to provide you with a referral.
Young Adults
I especially enjoy helping young adults navigate the challenges of school, work, and “adulting.” Attending higher education often presents unique challenges, including trying to balance classes, homework, a job, social activities, and self-care, all while figuring out what it means to be an “adult.” If you are finding that social anxiety, perfectionism, test anxiety or another form of anxiety has you feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I would be happy to help you overcome these issues.
On a personal note
In my free time I enjoy reading, movies (bonus points if there’s extra-buttery popcorn involved), yoga, hiking, snowboarding, painting (by number), and attempting (semi-successfully) to keep my many house plants alive. And anything with chocolate.
A few of my beliefs about therapy:
- None of us can get through life without help. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t take a lot of courage to ask!
- Confidentiality is the cornerstone of therapy. I strive to provide a space where you can feel safe to talk about things that might feel sensitive, embarrassing, or overwhelming.
- Therapy is an individualized and collaborative process in which you and your therapist work together to find what works best for you.
- There are no magic wands or quick fixes. You will get out of your therapy what you are able to put into your therapy.
- With the right tools and support, you have the power to make positive change in your life. Overcoming anxiety means being able to truly be yourself and enjoy your life!
– Kristel Roper, LMFT, LPCC
"Sometimes what you're most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free." — Robert Tew
Education:
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
University of San Francisco
Licensure:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #107976
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor #6649
Professional Affiliations:
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
International OCD Foundation
Advanced Trainings:
Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) from The International OCD Foundation
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) from the Yale Child Study Center
Ages I Serve
- Adolescents ages 16 & up
- Young adults
- Adults of all ages
Anxiety Is Tricky
You may feel like you’ve tried everything already and nothing has worked. Or you may feel like you “should” be able to overcome your anxiety on your own. Or maybe you’re worried that your anxiety is somehow different (and therefore not treatable). If you feel this way, I promise that you are not alone and there is hope.
Do any of these resonate with you?
- Anxiety keeping you up at night or starting as soon as you wake up in the morning
- Feeling overwhelmed by intense anxiety out of the blue
- Your world shrinking as you avoid more and more places, activities, etc.
- Dreading social interactions, especially over the phone or with new people
- Constantly worrying about all the things
- Doing anything and everything you can to prevent your worries from coming true
If so, you’re in the right place. Seeking help shows extraordinary courage and an admirable commitment to working towards personal growth and transformation. You can get better.
What Can You Get Out of Anxiety Therapy?
- A safe space to share things that might be sensitive or painful
- Someone to help you organize your thoughts
- Tools and strategies to help you better manage your anxiety
- Guidance in making a game plan
- Someone to hold you accountable to your goals
- Someone to cheer you on and encourage you to keep going
- Freedom to be yourself and live your life the way you want to
Meet Kristel Roper, LMFT – Sacramento Anxiety Therapist
