Kristopher Usrey
Counseling Intern, BS Psychology, MS Couples & Family Therapy (in progress)
My approach to therapy is collaborative, creative, and grounded in curiosity. I strive to create a space that feels genuine and flexible, where clients can show up as they are without needing to have everything figured out. I believe people are the experts in their own lives, and my role is to walk alongside them as they make sense of their experiences, explore new perspectives, and gently challenge patterns that may no longer serve them.
I was drawn to counseling through my experience balancing two very different worlds while pursuing degrees in both psychology and music performance at the same time. In one space, I was learning how to understand people and take care of myself. In the other, I was navigating high expectations, performance anxiety, identity questions, and burnout. Through this, I began to see how these challenges extend far beyond music, shaping how we choose careers, college majors, and even the activities we pursue.
After an injury during my performance career, I became more aware of how underserved people in the performing arts, athletics, and other high-pressure environments can be, especially when facing performance anxiety, injury recovery, or unexpected life changes. That experience continues to shape how I show up in therapy, bringing authenticity, patience, and creativity to the work while helping clients navigate similar pressures with greater clarity and self-understanding.
I also understand what it’s like to grow up in a world shaped by technology and social media. Whether it’s staying connected through gaming or feeling stuck in cycles of scrolling and comparison, I’m interested in helping clients explore how technology impacts their mental health, relationships, and sense of self.
Outside of the therapy space, you can find me playing music on a multitude of instruments, talking about music to anyone who will listen, gaming, following sports (go Broncos!), nerding out about movies, and finding new places to explore.
I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, performance anxiety, and questions around identity and life direction. I often support clients navigating college or career transitions, burnout, perfectionism, and injury recovery. I also have a strong interest in working with people in the performing arts and athletics, as well as those exploring the impact of technology use on their mental health and relationships. My work often includes men’s mental health, self-esteem, relationship challenges, boundary setting, and family conflict.
Areas of Focus
Who I Work With: Adults, TEENS, couples and families
While I work with a wide range of people and presenting problems, some of my most common topics of focus include:
Depression
Anxiety
Identity Development / Life Transitions
Technology Use
Performance Anxiety
Late Teens / Early Adulthood
Couples & Families
Counseling Technique
With my background in the arts, I've always been drawn to stories and the ways they shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Because of this, I use Narrative Therapy as a foundation for my work, helping clients better understand the stories they carry and explore how those stories may be impacting their thoughts, relationships, and sense of direction.
Together, we look for ways to reframe or re-author those narratives in a way that feels more aligned with who they are and where they want to go. I also approach therapy from a systems perspective, recognizing that we are all influenced by the relationships, families, and environments we are part of. I draw from Emotionally-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in my work as well, particularly when working with couples and families.
My work focuses on identifying patterns, building insight, and creating space for meaningful change, always with an emphasis on curiosity, connection, and collaboration. I hope to create a space where clients can question old narratives, better understand themselves, and begin to redefine their identity, relationships, and direction in a way that feels meaningful to them.
Professional Background
My professional background includes Bachelor's degrees in both Psychology and Music Performance, along with my ongoing graduate training in the Couples and Family Therapy program at the University of Oregon.
I've held a variety of leadership roles in the performing arts, including serving as a principal player in both band and orchestra, playing lead trumpet in jazz band, and have performed with a number of professional groups. I've also worked as a private music instructor, mentor, and volunteer, experiences that continue to inform my work with clients.
Education Credentials
Master of Science in Couples and Family Therapy (in progress), University of Oregon
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Colorado State University