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Kristen Barber-Goins
About
Hi, I’m Dr. Kristen Barber-Goins, a licensed clinical psychologist based in New Braunfels, Texas. I’m licensed in Texas and authorized through PSYPACT to provide telepsychology services across participating states. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and one thing I’ve learned is how meaningful it can be to better understand yourself. I believe psychological evaluations should be more than simply arriving at a diagnosis. They should offer clarity, validation, and a better understanding of your unique strengths, experiences, and challenges.My approach is warm, collaborative, and straightforward. I want you to feel comfortable asking questions, sharing your experiences, and being yourself throughout the evaluation process. My goal is to make the experience feel approachable, respectful, and genuinely helpful as you gain a clearer understanding of how your mind works.
What draws me to working with autistic and neurodivergent adults is the opportunity to help people better understand themselves, often after years of feeling different or wondering why certain aspects of life seem more challenging. Many adults seeking an autism evaluation have spent years adapting to expectations, masking their differences, or trying to make sense of experiences that haven't always had a clear explanation.I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to understand how their mind works without feeling that they need to change who they are. I value the opportunity to listen to each person's story, recognize their individual strengths and challenges, and help bring clarity to experiences that may have been misunderstood or overlooked. For me, the most rewarding part of this work is helping individuals walk away with greater self-understanding and information they can use to move forward with confidence.
My approach begins with recognizing that every person brings a unique combination of strengths, perspectives, and experiences. I believe a meaningful evaluation should look beyond a checklist of symptoms to understand the whole person, including how they think, connect with others, navigate daily life, and experience the world around them.I strive to make the evaluation process collaborative, comfortable, and free of judgment. Rather than focusing solely on challenges, I take time to recognize the strengths and abilities that may have been overlooked or misunderstood. My goal is for each person to leave the process feeling heard, respected, and better equipped with the insight and understanding to make decisions that work for them.
