PuttingFamilyFirst

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KW Portrait of Kristi Whitford
Online therapist

Kristi Whitford

Calm guidance for practical life changes

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
20 years
Licensed in
Florida
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Kristi

Kristi Whitford is a licensed clinical social worker who uses a warm, client-centered style to help people navigate hard times. She brings 20 years of experience to sessions and focuses on practical support that fits each person’s needs. Kristi listens without judgment and aims to make conversations straightforward and useful for daily life.

She often supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and self-esteem struggles. She also addresses intimacy and relationship concerns, addiction, and parenting-related challenges.

Background and approach

Her background includes work with adoption and foster care issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and family of origin problems. Kristi uses approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused techniques. These methods are applied in a down-to-earth way to help clients clarify values, set small goals, and change habits that get in the way of wellbeing.

Sessions emphasize practical steps and clear communication. Kristi’s work has included crisis and trauma settings, and she has supported people managing chronic medical conditions and caregiving burdens. That experience informs her steady, compassionate style and her focus on realistic coping strategies.

Her practice operates in Florida and sessions are conducted in English. She aims to tailor care to each person’s situation and to collaborate on goals and next steps. To begin, interested people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule according to availability.

How evidence-based approaches work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, grief, and long-term stresses. Motivational Interviewing focuses on drawing out a person’s own reasons for change and building motivation one step at a time; it is often helpful for addictions, commitment concerns, and behavior change.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, symptoms, and preferences, and together they will decide which methods to try. That collaborative process allows adjustments over time if something isn’t working.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy days and to continue care when travel or health issues get in the way. Many people find the variety of formats helps them stay consistent with goals and to practice new skills between sessions.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

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.

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 stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and related struggles. Other focus areas include parenting issues, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, and family of origin problems.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is client-centered and empathetic, with an emphasis on listening and practical steps. She combines acceptance-based work with solution-focused goal setting.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience working with people in crisis and with a range of mental health and adjustment concerns.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a licensed clinical social worker in Florida holding the credential FL LCSW SW6939.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What formats are available for sessions?
Sessions can be done by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are costs and starting steps handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.

Next step

Talk to Kristi

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