Kristin B Gonzalez, LICSW

Kristin is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), with a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Minnesota and a personal background in foster care and adoption. She obtained her foster care license in 2002 through Minnesota Children’s Home Society, and is now the mother of 9, adoptive, biological and step-children, and grandmother to 6. Kristin is passionate about everything related to supporting and understanding the experiences of children and families navigating out of home placement. Kristin is Rostered in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), an intervention modality designed to help young children, ages birth to 6, and their caregivers make meaning and heal after stressful and traumatic experiences and certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF_CBT). She graduated from the Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) program through the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare at the University of Minnesota in 2021.

After 16 years of full-time parenting, Kristin began her current role at Washburn Center for Children as an In-Home Family Therapist, where she is able to integrate her personal and professional experience. It is Kristin’s belief that adoption, foster and kinship care are full of joy, loss, grief and complexity, but when families are willing to live into their story, make meaning of it and build in layers of support, they can influence their trajectory. Her strong interpersonal skills and authentic care quickly develop trust, rapport and loyalty with clients and families. Kristin primarily provides in-home family therapy for children birth to 5. She also sees clients in-office and over telehealth.