Kristen Kakanis, LCSW - Therapist in Tennessee

About Kristen

Kristen Kakanis is a licensed clinical social worker with 10 years of experience, practicing in Tennessee. She focuses on practical help for everyday struggles like stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, anger, depression, addictions, grief, and parenting challenges. Her approach treats each person as the expert on their own life and builds on existing strengths.

Kristen aims to make the first steps toward change feel manageable and supported. She uses clear, goal-focused methods in sessions.

Background and approach

That might mean identifying small behavior changes, testing what helps, and adjusting plans together. Kristen draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thoughts and patterns. She also uses Motivational Interviewing to strengthen the desire to change when someone feels stuck.

Kristen keeps the work straightforward and collaborative. She listens first, reflects what she hears, and checks in about what feels useful next. Sessions emphasize simple, actionable strategies that can be tried between meetings.

Progress is measured by what improves day to day rather than by jargon. Parents and caregivers often seek support for coping with life changes, parenting stress, and compassion fatigue. Kristen provides a steady, respectful presence while helping clarify priorities and next steps.

The tone in sessions is encouraging and practical. Appointments are offered through online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Those options make it possible to fit help into a busy schedule and to try different ways of connecting as needs change.

Approaches that fit real life and online care

Kristen uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. CBT is practical and often focuses on skills you can practice between sessions, which is useful for anxiety, low mood, and stress. She also draws on Motivational Interviewing to help when motivation feels low; this approach uses gentle conversation to clarify values and build readiness for change.

Finding the right approach is part of working together. The therapist will listen to your concerns, goals, and preferences and suggest methods to try. That plan can be adjusted over time so the work stays relevant and manageable for your life.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into a busy schedule. These options allow for flexible timing and different ways of communicating, so someone can choose the format that feels most comfortable. For many people, remote sessions make it simpler to keep momentum between appointments and to use new skills in daily life.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Kristen commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, anger, low self esteem, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, career shifts, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.

What is her general therapy style?

Kristen takes a collaborative, straightforward style. She listens, reflects, and helps set small, practical goals you can try between sessions.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 10 years of professional work experience in clinical settings.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, licensed in Tennessee with license number TN LCSW 6537.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How are fees handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working together?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Anger management

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 10 years
Licensed: Tennessee
Languages: English

Next step

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