We sat down with Cristen Wathen, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC., to voice real questions from the community about mental health and life with PKD.
Dr. Wathen is a counselor educator, tenured associate professor at Palo Alto University, whose work is deeply shaped by her lived experience with chronic illness. As both a kidney and liver transplant recipient, she offers a unique perspective on the realities of navigating PKD.
In this conversation, she explores managing anxiety and uncertainty, shares guidance on seeking mental health support, and communicating needs with others.
Related Resources
- 2026
- Caregivers
- Children
- Education
- Family Life
- Living with PKD
- Mental Health
- PKD
- PKD Parents
- PKDCON
- Staying Healthy
- Wellness
- Young Children
- 2026
- Caregivers
- Education
- Family Life
- Living with PKD
- Management
- Mental Health
- PKD
- PKDCON
- Staying Healthy
- Wellness
- 2026
- Communities
- Education
- Family Life
- Kidney transplant
- Living Post-Transplant
- Management
- Mental Health
- PKD
- PKDCON
- Staying Healthy
- Transplantation
- Wellness
- 2026
- Communities
- Education
- Family Life
- Living with PKD
- Management
- Mental Health
- PKD
- PKDCON
- Staying Healthy
- Teens and Young Adults (13-20)
- 2026
- Education
- Living with PKD
- Management
- Mental Health
- Newly Diagnosed
- PKD
- PKDCON
- Progression
- 2026
- Caregivers
- Education
- Family Life
- Living with PKD
- Mental Health
- PKD
- PKDCON
- Staying Healthy
- Wellness
- 2026
- Advocacy
- Communities
- Education
- Family Life
- Featured
- Living with PKD
- Mental Health
- PKD
- PKDCON
- Voices of PKD
- Wellness
- Mental Health
- ADPKD
- ARPKD
- Caregivers
- Education
- Family Life
- Kidney Failure
- Living with PKD
- Mental Health