Experiences of human trafficking and interpersonal violence can affect nearly every part of a person’s life. Survivors may be coping with trauma while simultaneously navigating legal proceedings, immigration concerns, family relationships, financial instability, housing needs, medical care, or other systems that can feel overwhelming.
At Monica Kristen Therapy, I provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered support for individuals who have experienced human trafficking, interpersonal violence, and other traumatizing events.
My goal is to create a space where survivors can feel safe, respected, and empowered while developing the tools and support they need to move forward.
There is no single way to respond to trauma, and survivors do not all need the same type of support.
Some individuals may be seeking therapy to process the effects of trauma. Others may primarily need help stabilizing, developing coping strategies, connecting with resources, or navigating the systems surrounding their victimization.
Support may include:
The type and level of support is individualized based on the survivor’s needs, goals, and circumstances.
Survivors are sometimes required to tell their stories repeatedly—to attorneys, law enforcement, healthcare providers, therapists, advocates, or other professionals.
Therapy and supportive services do not need to be another place where you feel defined by what happened to you.
My approach focuses on safety, choice, strengths, and healing, while recognizing that recovery may not happen in a straight line.
Together, we can work toward:
And as you progress and build resilience, you may feel ready for therapy-focused work. EMDR and TF-CBT are offered, in addition to other clinical frameworks, to compliment and deepen your healing process.
You remain in control of what you share, what you work on, and the pace of your treatment.
My professional experience includes extensive work with immigrant survivors of human trafficking and other forms of victimization.
Immigrant survivors may face additional challenges related to language, cultural differences, family separation, immigration status, unfamiliarity with U.S. systems, and concerns about interacting with institutions.
I strive to understand the full context of a survivor’s experience, rather than viewing trauma separately from the other circumstances affecting their life.
When appropriate, I can also collaborate with a client’s legal team or other providers to help coordinate support across the different systems involved in their care.
Survivors are often supported by a network of professionals, including attorneys, advocates, therapists, social workers, healthcare providers, case managers, and community organizations.
I value that collaborative approach.
With appropriate client authorization, I can coordinate with other professionals regarding:
My role is collaborative but distinct. I respect the expertise and responsibilities of each professional involved and aim to help reduce gaps between services rather than duplicate them.
For many survivors, healing and legal advocacy happen at the same time.
A survivor may be working with an attorney on immigration relief while also addressing trauma. They may be seeking compensation through VCCO while trying to access mental-health treatment. They may be working toward family reunification while managing the emotional impact of prolonged separation.
These circumstances can make it difficult to separate a person’s “legal needs” from their emotional and practical needs.
My experience working alongside attorneys and paralegals in an anti-trafficking legal-services environment has given me a particular understanding of this intersection.
I understand the importance of providing clinical and supportive services that complement the legal process while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Survivors may need support that goes beyond therapy. Depending on their circumstances, I can help identify and connect clients with appropriate resources related to:
Therapy, counseling, psychiatric services, and other behavioral-health resources.
Resources related to housing, food, transportation, and other practical needs.
Connection to healthcare providers and other appropriate medical resources.
Guidance in identifying and accessing appropriate victim services specific to their victimization and unique needs, including resources related to the New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO).
Coordination with attorneys and other legal professionals when appropriate.
Connection to organizations and providers that can offer longer-term support and stability.
My professional experience has focused extensively on working with survivors of human trafficking, many of whom have also experienced other forms of interpersonal violence, exploitation, and victimization.
I spent several years working in survivor stabilization services, meeting clients immediately following extraction from an exploitative environment. I liaised with other emergency workers to triage needs, and make emergent referrals. I also collaborated with the survivors on immediate, and short term goals we could work towards together. This involved referrals, needs assessments, emotional support, psychoeducation, and interdisciplinary advocacy.
Within an anti-trafficking legal-services environment, I have worked alongside attorneys and paralegals to support survivors with complex and overlapping needs. This has included psychosocial assessments, resource coordination, supportive counseling, trauma education, community referrals, immigration psychological evaluations, and ongoing support throughout legal and immigration processes.
In all my roles, I advocate fiercely for client needs. While survivors work on their practical goals, I can help translate system jargon, and potentially expedite services through my systems knowledge and experience.
This experience has taught me that effective survivor support often requires looking beyond a single presenting problem and understanding the whole person, their circumstances, and the systems surrounding them.
Creating an environment where survivors can feel supported and engage at a pace that respects their needs.
Recognizing that survivors are the experts on their own experiences and supporting their ability to make informed choices.
Considering culture, language, immigration experiences, family systems, and community context.
Working appropriately with attorneys, advocates, healthcare providers, and other professionals when collaboration benefits the client.
Helping survivors identify their strengths, develop practical tools, and move toward goals that are meaningful to them.
If you are working with a survivor and believe additional trauma-informed clinical or supportive services may be helpful, or if you are working with a client who presents with trauma and may need case management assistance outside of your services, I welcome referrals and professional collaboration.
I am happy to discuss whether my services may be an appropriate fit for your client and how my role could complement the services already in place.
For Attorneys:
I can provide immigration psychological evaluations, consular processing assistance, supportive clinical services, and coordination with legal teams when appropriate.
For Community Providers:
I can collaborate to address high needs that may fall outside of the scope of your practice. This may involve referrals, resource coordination, systems advocacy, and continuity of support.
For Survivors:
You are welcome to reach out directly to learn more about whether therapy or supportive services may be appropriate for you.
Monica Kristen Therapy does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Clinical and supportive services are provided within the scope of professional practice and are intended to complement, not replace, legal representation, advocacy, case management, or other professional services.
