Kristy Nine, Psy.D., is a postdoctoral resident who works with children and adults to deepen self-understanding, navigate difficult emotions and life transitions, strengthen relationships, and move toward lives that feel more meaningful and aligned with their values. Her clinical interests include relational, depth-oriented Psychodynamic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Kristy believes meaningful change develops through a safe, collaborative therapeutic relationship that allows clients to explore how past experiences, less conscious patterns, and familiar ways of relating continue to shape their inner lives and relationships.
Inspiration
Kristy was inspired to pursue Clinical Psychology through her work with a nonprofit organization in Louisville, Kentucky. There, she supported court-involved individuals, parents navigating the removal of their children, young children and adolescents who had experienced complex trauma, and high-conflict couples and coparents. These experiences, along with her psychodynamic training, deepened her interest in relational, depth-oriented work and in understanding how trauma, early childhood experiences, and recurring relational patterns shape a person’s inner life and relationships.
Education
Kristy holds a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Western Kentucky University. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings. Before graduation, Kristy worked as a predoctoral intern at an outpatient clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, supporting adults with serious mental illness as they navigated complex emotional, relational, and everyday challenges. Kristy now practices as a postdoctoral resident at MHCA’s Mesa and Glendale locations, where she helps children and adults understand the ways past experiences and relational patterns shape their present lives, work through trauma and difficult emotions, and develop healthier, more meaningful relationships.
Professional History
Over the last 8 years, Kristy has garnered the respect of clients, community members, and fellow mental health professionals by providing compassionate, individualized care grounded in safe and collaborative therapeutic relationships. She has supported children, adolescents, and adults experiencing complex trauma, difficult emotions, life transitions, and relational challenges across community mental health and serious mental illness settings. Kristy’s clinical work is informed by relational, depth-oriented psychodynamic therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), integrating insight-oriented exploration with practical, values-based strategies. She has earned a National Certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), reflecting her commitment to trauma-informed care.
Personal Interests
When she is not working with clients, Kristy enjoys yoga, meditation, rock climbing, aerial silks, writing poetry, reading, traveling, and hiking. She also loves thrifting, antique shopping, and checking out local events.