- LCSW in Wisconsin
- Anger and addictions
- CBT and client-centered
About Kristen
Dr. Kristen Pavela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Wisconsin with 10 years of clinical experience. She holds a doctorate in social work and has worked as a clinical social worker and substance abuse counselor. Dr. Pavela works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, and relationship concerns among other issues.
She helps people who struggle with parenting challenges, grief, intimacy problems, eating and sleeping concerns, and career stress. She also supports those coping with ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, compassion fatigue, and life transitions. Additional focuses include attachment and abandonment issues, codependency, impulsivity, and problems with communication and control.
Her approach blends Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Sessions are described as interactive and direct, with attention to practical steps clients can try between meetings. She emphasizes respectful, nonjudgmental conversation rather than labels.
In sessions she talks through patterns that keep problems repeating. She helps people notice thoughts and behaviors that feed anger or anxiety and then try different responses. Work can include looking at past experiences that shape current reactions and using motivational techniques to support change.
Dr. Pavela frames therapy as a collaborative process. She and the client set goals and adapt the plan as progress is made. To start, readers are asked to use the site matching tools to schedule a first session and see which session options apply to them.
How her methods translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on open, respectful conversation and helping clients feel heard. Online sessions using this approach emphasize clear listening, exploring current concerns, and setting practical goals for change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches skills to test and change unhelpful patterns; it is useful for anger, anxiety, and mood problems and often includes homework between sessions. Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify what matters to them and find their own reasons to change, which can be helpful for addictions and shifting stubborn habits.Choosing an approach is part of the work. The therapist and client will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust them as progress is made, keeping the process collaborative rather than prescriptive.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online meetings can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or avoid travel time. They can also let a person use audio-only meeting options if they prefer a lower-bandwidth call or choose not to be on camera. Ask during the matching process which formats are available for scheduling.
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 problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, relationship issues, parenting challenges, grief, and related concerns listed in her profile.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is interactive and conversational. She combines client-centered dialogue with CBT, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic ideas.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience as a clinical social worker and substance abuse counselor and holds a doctorate in social work.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin and practices from Wisconsin.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session through the site.