Dr. Kristen Pavela, LCSW - Therapist in Wisconsin

About Kristen

Dr. Kristen Pavela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a doctoral degree in social work and ten years of clinical experience. She practices in Wisconsin and brings experience across mental health and substance use concerns.

Her manner is warm and interactive, and she focuses on practical, respectful care that avoids stigmatizing labels. She has worked with people facing depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and addiction. She also addresses anger, grief, intimacy problems, and a wide range of stress-related concerns.

Background and approach

Parenting and family topics are part of her practice, along with issues like sleep, eating, and self-esteem. Her style blends several approaches to fit each person. She uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify patterns that keep problems going.

Motivational interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change. She also draws on psychodynamic ideas and a client-centered stance to understand history and strengthen the therapeutic relationship. Sessions tend to be interactive and focused on concrete steps people can try between meetings.

Conversations are tailored to each person’s needs and goals. The therapist works with the client to build a plan that feels doable and relevant. If someone is ready to make a change, she aims to offer steady support and practical tools.

The emphasis is on collaboration, respect, and helping people move toward a more manageable, satisfying life.

How her approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy means the conversation is guided by what matters most to the client, with the therapist listening closely and responding to individual concerns. This approach helps when someone needs understanding and support to make sense of current problems.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. Online CBT works well for issues like anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and some forms of addiction because it emphasizes concrete skills and short exercises.

Motivational Interviewing is a conversational style that helps people find their own reasons to change. It can be useful when motivation feels mixed or when someone is considering shifts around substance use, parenting, or health habits.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which approaches fit their goals, needs, and preferences, adjusting plans as progress is made.

Online sessions using video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging give flexibility around busy schedules and geography. These formats let people have therapy from home, during a break at work, or while caring for family, making it easier to keep momentum between sessions.

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 kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with a wide range of problems including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, relationship and family issues, parenting, grief, and self-esteem.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her approach is warm and interactive. She avoids stigmatizing labels and focuses on respectful, practical conversations to help people identify next steps.

What experience does she bring?

She has ten years of clinical experience as a social worker and substance abuse counselor and holds a doctorate in social work.

What credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Licenses: IL LCSW 149020413 and WI LCSW 9369-123, based in Wisconsin.

In which languages are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How does pricing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the therapist’s availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 10 years
Licensed: Wisconsin, Illinois
Languages: English

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