- Warm interactive style
- Focus on codependency
- Evidence-informed methods
About Kristen
Dr. Kristen Pavela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Wisconsin with ten years of clinical experience. She holds a doctorate in social work and has supported people through depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and relationship concerns. Her style is warm and interactive and she focuses on respect, sensitivity, and compassion in sessions.
Her background includes work as a clinical social worker, psychocounselor, and substance abuse counselor. She has helped people who faced physical trauma and emotional abuse, as well as those navigating parenting struggles, anger, and domestic violence issues. Her experience also covers challenges such as grief, intimacy concerns, codependency, and caregiver stress.
In session she uses a mix of approaches to fit each person. She draws from cognitive behavioral methods to address unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. She also uses client-centered techniques to create a supportive, listening space where the client leads the pace.
Motivational interviewing is part of her work with people facing addiction or ambivalence about change, focusing on building motivation for next steps. Psychodynamic ideas inform attention to early relationships and patterns that shape current behavior.
She aims to tailor conversations and plans to each person's needs. If you want practical changes and a respectful listening space, she can help you map the next steps.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the client's lead, helping build trust and a collaborative relationship. This approach is useful for people who need a calm, accepting space to talk through emotions and life decisions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. CBT can help with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and many stress-related concerns by teaching tools for daily life.
Motivational Interviewing supports people who feel stuck or unsure about change by exploring goals and strengthening internal motivation. It often pairs well with work on addictions, ambivalence, or making behavior changes.
Choosing the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, needs, and preferences and then suggest which methods to try first. Plans are adjusted over time based on what helps.
The original profile does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, avoid travel time, and use shorter check-ins or phone conversations when needed. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises, homework, and goal tracking to work in remote sessions so progress continues between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Credentials
Wisconsin, Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, codependency, caregiver stress, and grief.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and interactive, emphasizing respect, sensitivity, and a nonjudgmental tone while tailoring the conversation to each person's needs.
What is her clinical background?
She has ten years of experience as a clinical social worker, psychocounselor, and substance abuse counselor, and holds a doctorate in social work.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with IL LCSW and WI LCSW credentials and practices in Wisconsin.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin scheduling with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.