Therapy in Ulster County, NY | Psychotherapist Cris Maria Fort Garcés

In Ulster County, where the Catskill Mountains meet the Hudson River, healing takes on its own rhythm. The land seems to whisper reminders that life moves in cycles of stillness and movement, of letting go and beginning again. In that same rhythm, my sessions invite a return to wholeness. This work is not about chasing transformation. It is about integration, about bringing back the parts of you that have been scattered by life and letting them rest together in balance. Through breath, presence, and awareness, what once felt fragmented starts to come together again. The result is not perfection but peace, a sense of harmony that extends beyond the session and into daily life. Ulster County’s creative and natural spirit reflects the essence of this process. Healing here feels like aligning with something timeless, not becoming someone new, but remembering the calm and clarity that have always lived within.

Here’s what our work might look like:

This is a living, breathing container, rooted in clinical depth, mystical tradition, and intuitive truth. It meets you where you are and evolves as you do.

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Here’s what our work might look like:

We Begin in the Real Moment


We don’t have to dig through your entire history to start healing,  we begin with what’s happening right now: your breath, your posture, the tightness in your throat, the image you can’t shake.


We Drop Into the Body (and the Beyond)


Together, we drop in slowly and intentionally, tracking sensation, emotion, and the symbolic language of your body. We name what’s been exiled, what’s been performing, and what’s quietly asking to be witnessed.

We Unwind Shame, Self-Attack, and Old Survival Roles


Your body holds the places where you learned to shrink, overgive, or turn against yourself. We track these patterns with compassion until they soften, loosen, and lose authority.


We Integrate the Work Into How You Live, Love, and Lead


Your insights don’t stay in the room, they become embodied. You speak up without collapsing, rest without guilt, show up without masking, and move through your days with more presence and fewer spirals.

Explore my services and specializations


  • Somatic Therapy

    To heal through the body is to come home. Somatic psychotherapy guides you back to that home gently, through movement, presence, and the wisdom of sensation. What felt fragmented starts to find coherence again, one breath at a time.

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  • Shadow Work Therapy

    Every shadow contains a fragment of light. Through the body, that light becomes visible again. Awareness turns into compassion, and compassion turns into freedom, a way of moving through life without abandoning any part of yourself.

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  • Expressive eco art therapy for emotional healing

    Ulster County is surrounded by color, texture, and movement, and those same elements are part of how I approach creative healing. Through eco art therapy, we use natural materials to express emotion, to give form to what has been held within. The process helps connect feeling with creation, thought with expression, energy with form. As the creative work unfolds, clarity emerges naturally. Expression becomes balance, and balance becomes healing.

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  • Gestalt Therapy

    This practice supports connection between you and your body, between past and present, between emotion and understanding. By staying present to what unfolds, you cultivate a sense of unity within yourself. Growth happens naturally when awareness replaces avoidance.

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I serve women in Ulster County NY

I offer online sessions to women throughout Ulster County, including Kingston, Woodstock, New Paltz, Stone Ridge, Rosendale, and Saugerties. The area stretches along the Hudson River and the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, offering a blend of small-town charm and natural beauty. Nearby landmarks such as Minnewaska State Park, Mohonk Preserve, and the Ashokan Reservoir reflect the peaceful rhythm of life in this region. Ulster County’s proximity to both the Hudson Valley and the Catskills makes it a unique and inspiring place to live, create, and connect.

What clients say...

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When I first met Cris, I was at a moment in my life where I was unsure of every possible direction. All of my decisions were based on fear and a recent change in my health had me wondering what kind of life I would have and holy crap I'm going to die. Being in front of Cris's intellect, warmth and grace literally gave me strength I didn't know was there and the assurance of my ability to navigate conflict with grace and evenness. A truly gifted guide and stellar human being.

- Grey
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Cris has been integral to my growth. She is incredibly kind, understanding, and supportive, while also challenging me to face things I may have been ignoring/dismissing. I’m really grateful to have been able to work with her.

- Autumn
Image of five black stars in a row.

Cris is a wonderful therapist. As a pediatrician, I was prone to over-thinking. She has helped me to work through my thoughts and to be in tune with my body.

- Lisa

Hello I’m Cris, psychotherapist

I’mCris Maria Fort Garcés, a counselor who helps women move through transitions with awareness and grace. My approach invites you to soften, breathe, and remember the calm that already lives within you.

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FAQ about my psychotherapy services

  • How does virtual therapy work?

    Sessions are held online once a week for 45 minutes through a secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom link. I encourage you to create a calm, private space where you can settle in fully. The consistency of our meetings allows balance and reflection to build over time.

  • What kind of therapy do you offer?

    I offer somatic therapy, gestalt therapy, shadow work therapy, and eco art therapy to support your journey toward self-trust, healing, and embodied clarity.

  • What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?

    You can reschedule or cancel up to 48 hours before your session without penalty. Later cancellations are billed in full. Each client may cancel up to four sessions per year with notice at no cost. This policy helps maintain consistency and care in our work.

  • What if I’m not sure this is the right fit?

    A free 15-minute consultation is available so you can experience the tone and energy of the space before beginning. It’s an easy way to sense alignment and clarity before making a commitment.

  • With whom do you work and where?

    With 17 years of experience in Somatic, Gestalt, and Creative Arts psychotherapy, I support clients navigating trauma, anxiety, burnout, and life transitions. My work is grounded in compassion and guided by the belief that true healing comes from integrating all parts of the self. I work online with women, femmes, queer, Latinx, gender-non-conforming, and trans adults across New York State.