Work With Me | Kristie McMaster | Principal Therapist

Why Work With Me

I provide complex relational care for individuals, couples, and families who are navigating situations that feel entrenched, high-impact, or time-sensitive, and where standard weekly therapy may not be sufficient on its own.

My work is grounded in careful assessment and clinical judgement. Rather than beginning with open-ended sessions, I focus on understanding what is happening, how different factors are interacting, and what form of support is most appropriate at this point in time. The structure, pace, and intensity of the work are guided by the complexity of the situation and the timeframe involved, and may change as circumstances evolve.

How I Work

A central part of this work is the assessment and formulation phase. This involves taking a broad, integrated view of the situation, clarifying contributing factors, and developing a shared understanding of what is most likely to help.

The outcome of this phase is a clinical recommendation, which may include:

focused short-term therapy
longer-term therapeutic work
more intensive or concentrated intervention
consultation with other professionals
written reports or documentation for external systems (such as schools)
referral to other services
or a combination of these

For some people, the assessment and formulation process itself is the most valuable part of the work. For others, it provides the foundation for ongoing or more intensive therapeutic support. In all cases, the aim is proportionate care — support that is matched to what the situation actually requires.

Who This Work Is Best Suited For

This work is well suited to individuals, couples, and families who:

feel stuck in repeating emotional, behavioural, or relational patterns
are experiencing strain across multiple areas of life or relationships
are facing situations where timing matters, and delay risks further entrenchment
want a clearer understanding of their situation to inform next steps across therapy, family life, school, or other systems

This approach tends to suit people who value clarity, depth, and thoughtful pacing, and who understand that meaningful assessment requires time and engagement, regardless of whether the subsequent course of work is brief, extended, or consultative in nature.

Who This May Not Be Suited For

This approach may not align for everyone. It may not be the right fit if you are seeking therapy that is primarily open-ended or non-directive, without an initial focus on assessment, formulation, or planning.

It may also be less suitable if you are:

looking for immediate reassurance or advice without a broader assessment of the situation
wanting therapy to follow a predetermined format or duration, rather than being guided by clinical recommendation
seeking support limited to conversation alone, without integration into other systems or contexts
not currently in a position to invest time and attention in an assessment process as the foundation for further work

There are many valid ways of working therapeutically. My way of working is best suited to situations where assessment, formulation, and proportionate clinical recommendation are central to determining what happens next.

In Practice, This Work Commonly Involves Support For

Children & Adolescents
Children and teenagers whose emotional or behavioural difficulties are affecting school, family life, or daily functioning — including situations such as increasing school avoidance, emotional withdrawal, anxiety, anger, or behavioural escalation.

Adults
Adults who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or caught in repeating emotional or relational patterns, particularly when previous insight or therapy has not led to sufficient change, or when the situation feels time-sensitive.

Couples & Families
Couples and families experiencing strain, loss of trust, breakdown in communication, or escalating conflict, where relationships are under pressure and functioning no longer feels stable or sustainable.

If your situation feels complex, time-sensitive, or difficult to resolve through standard weekly therapy alone, a consultation can help clarify whether this approach may be appropriate.

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