- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
About Kristen
Dr. Kristen Pavela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with ten years of clinical experience in Wisconsin. She lists stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, LGBT concerns, relationship and family issues, grief, intimacy-related matters, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, self-esteem, career questions, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and ADHD among the areas she addresses.
Pavela uses conversational, person-centered work in sessions. She listens to what matters to each person and shapes the talk to fit their concerns. Sessions tend to be interactive and focused on practical steps alongside deeper understanding.
Her background includes work in substance use counseling and general clinical social work, and she holds a doctorate in social work. That mix informs how she approaches problems like addiction, trauma, and relationship strain. She draws on multiple methods to help people reduce distress and build clearer options.
In practice she blends Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and psychodynamic ideas. That means conversations can range from moment-to-moment coping strategies to looking at patterns from the past that affect current behavior. The tone aims to be straightforward and respectful.
People who come for help often want relief from anxiety or stress, support around addiction or trauma, or clearer ways to handle family and relationship problems. The first sessions usually focus on identifying goals and practical next steps to try between meetings.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the client, helping them shape goals and solutions. This approach supports people who feel unheard or unsure about next steps.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical skills to reduce worry and change unhelpful behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, stress, and some patterns that maintain mood problems.
Finding the best approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust the plan based on what helps. Sessions can include skill practice, motivational conversations about change, and reflection on past patterns to inform current choices.
Because the profile does not list specific session formats, confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove travel time so people can meet during a lunch break or between errands. The practical aim is to make therapy fit everyday life while working together on the concerns named in the profile.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Wisconsin, Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, relationship and family issues, grief, eating and sleeping concerns, parenting strain, ADHD, and related topics listed on her profile.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is conversational and interactive, focusing on listening first and then using practical strategies and deeper exploration as needed.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has ten years of experience as a clinical social worker and substance use counselor and holds a doctorate in social work.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin and practices in Wisconsin.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are session formats arranged?
Confirm current session options before booking since the profile does not list specific formats; check the online therapy options to see what is available.
How does pricing and scheduling work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; to start, complete the short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.