- Warm and interactive
- Evidence-informed methods
- Focus on life stressors
About Kristen
Dr. Kristen Pavela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Wisconsin with a doctorate in social work and about 10 years of clinical experience. She has worked as a clinical social worker and substance abuse counselor, helping people who are struggling with mood problems, addiction, trauma, relationship troubles, and parenting stress.
Her style is described as warm and interactive. She aims to treat people with respect, sensitivity, and compassion while avoiding stigmatizing labels. Sessions are shaped around each person's needs rather than a fixed script.
Dr. Pavela uses a mix of approaches to guide sessions. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, motivational interviewing to support change around substance use or other habits, psychodynamic thinking to look at deeper patterns, and client-centered methods that focus on the person in front of her.
In practice she listens for what matters most to the individual and builds goals from there. That might mean short-term strategies for sleep, anxiety, or cravings, or longer work on attachment, grief, or family roles. She also pays attention to caregiver strain, impulsivity, and issues like shame or isolation.
If someone is ready to start, she supports the step-by-step work toward clearer choices and more manageable day-to-day living. The emphasis is on practical change and steady support rather than quick fixes.
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and meeting each person where they are. In practice this means the therapist follows the person's concerns, reflects what she hears, and helps people clarify their own goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and offers practical techniques to change them, which can help with anxiety, sleep, or mood symptoms.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they decide whether to focus on skill-based work, motivational strategies, or exploring longer-standing patterns, and that plan can change as needs shift.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by reducing travel time and allowing check-ins during lunch breaks or between errands. It can also support ongoing work for concerns like addiction, stress, grief, ADHD, and caregiver strain by keeping momentum between appointments.
Areas of focus
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, anger, grief, and a wide range of relationship and parenting issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her sessions are warm and interactive, focused on respect and sensitivity. She avoids stigmatizing labels and tailors the conversation to each person's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has about 10 years of experience working as a clinical social worker and substance abuse counselor and holds a doctorate in social work.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW - with licensure in Illinois and Wisconsin, and practices from Wisconsin.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model 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 according to the therapist's availability.