Confessions of a Worry Warrior

Slaying anxiety, one confession at a time – Mental health blog posts from a clinician with firsthand experience.

Confessions of a Worry Warrior is a blog for mental health professionals and those with mental illness alike. While meant to be informative and witty, it is not meant to provide medical advice or substitute for professional treatment. Please be advised.

About the author – Kristen Mowery

Hi, I’m Kristen! I’m a 31-year-old mental health professional that lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I graduated with a bachelor’s in science, majoring in psychology, from the University of Pittsburgh in December of 2013 and with a master’s in social work (MSW) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work in April of 2016.

I spent the first six years of my career working at a mental health crisis center where I answered phones for my local crisis line and for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. I went on to work in all three departments at the center and even served as a clinical supervisor for nearly two years. Currently, I work as a care manager for an employee assistance program where I triage and refer individuals to counseling and other community resources, and I also manage employer-mandated referrals.

Personally, I have spent nearly the entirety of my life living with the effects of mental illness. I was inspired to enter the mental health field to help advocate for better services for individuals and families after watching my younger brother and parents try to navigate the system as a child. My brother is diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.

I myself have been formally diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for nearly a decade. However, I have struggled with mental health concerns and anxiety for most of my life. I have spent my adult life working towards building healthier means of coping, developing self care routines, attending therapy, and taking my medications consistently (most of the time).

When I’m not slaying stigma professionally, I like to spend my time with my 3 cats – Jaxon, Pierogi, and Pickle – and my fiancé, Andy. I enjoy orangetheory workouts, The Fitness Marshall live streams, rollercoasters, and extreme horror novels.

Welcome to the choas.