Alternative Therapy

Alternative Therapy
Name of Primary Practitioner
Dr. Krista Buda
Business Excerpt
Trauma-informed, kink-knowledgeable therapist serving individuals, couples & ENM/poly clients in Utah. Affirming care — no education required. In-person (SLC & Layton) + telehealth.
Business Description

Personal Bio
Hi, I'm Krista (they/them) — a queer, neurodivergent therapist, clinical director, and the founder of Alternative Therapy. I specialize in trauma-informed, affirming care for people in marginalized and alternative communities, including LGBTQIA+, ENM/polyamorous, kink-identified, and neurodivergent folx.

I hold a Master's in Social Work with a trauma focus and a PhD in Integrative Medicine. I'm MAPS-trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy and draw on both evidence-based clinical modalities and traditional healing wisdom — including mentorship with a Peruvian shaman — to support healing that honors mind, body, and spirit.

My clinical toolkit includes EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Therapy, CPT, CBT, DBT, and Solution-Focused approaches. I offer psychedelic-assisted therapy (ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin) and integration support for clients processing expanded states of consciousness. I provide gender-affirming care across the lifespan and am currently pursuing AASECT sex therapy certification.

Before founding Alternative Therapy, I worked with survivors of sexual assault and trafficking across three continents — work that shaped my commitment to justice-centered, globally informed healing.

More than a decade ago, I struggled to find therapy that truly saw me. I experienced misdiagnosis, harm, and erasure in systems that didn't understand my trauma, identities, or lifestyle. That experience is the foundation of everything I build — spaces where clients arrive whole, are met without judgment, and never have to shrink to be helped.

If you're navigating trauma, identity, nontraditional relationships, or simply looking for a more authentic path forward — I'd be honored to walk with you.


Practice Bio

Alternative Therapy is an LGBTQIA+ owned and operated trauma-informed practice with offices in Salt Lake City and Layton, Utah, offering both in-person and telehealth services throughout the state.

Our team specializes in affirming, holistic care for individuals, couples, and those in ENM, polyamorous, and kink-identified relationships. We offer individual therapy, couples counseling, group sessions, and intensive therapy formats — alongside psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration support facilitated by MAPS-trained clinicians.

For those seeking immersive healing experiences, we offer retreats combining somatic work, plant medicine integration, mindfulness, creative practices, and community — rooted in the landscape of the American West.

We exist to create the space we once couldn't find: one where your trauma, identities, and lifestyle are met with knowledge, care, and zero judgment.

All services are provided in alignment with applicable legal and ethical guidelines.

Gender of Practitioner
Non-Binary
Education/Training/Certifications
PhD
Business Phone Number
(352)256-2560
Business Contact Email
krista@utahalternativetherapy.com
Business Address
66 E Exchange place, Salt Lake City , Utah 84
Country
USA
State
Utah
ZIP Code
84111
Internet Based Business
Yes, Both Remote and Brick and Mortar
Do You Accept Insurance?
Yes
Tell us about the payment options you accept and any additional insurance details.
We accept a variety of payment methods, including American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, Mastercard, PayPal, Venmo, Visa, and Zelle. We also work with a wide variety of insurance providers, such as Aetna, BlueCross and BlueShield, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna and Evernorth, Optum, Oxford, Public Employees Health Program, Regence, SelectHealth, United Medical Resources (UMR), UnitedHealthcare (UHC | UBH), and University of Utah Health Plans. We also accept Out-of-Network insurance.
Poly Awareness Level
Knowledgeable
Kink Awareness Level
Knowledgeable
Valid Since
12/06/2025
Swinger (Lifestyle) Awareness Level
Knowledgeable
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