Dr. Kristen Pavela , LCSW

Dr. Kristen Pavela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who also holds a doctorate in social work and brings 10 years of clinical experience to her practice in Wisconsin. She has worked as a clinical social worker, psychocounselor, and substance abuse counselor, supporting people with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, relationship and family problems, and parenting challenges. Her work has included helping both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence as well as people coping with physical trauma, emotional abuse, and attachment or abandonment issues.

Her style is warm, interactive, and strength-based, grounded in respect and sensitivity without stigmatizing labels. She integrates multiple approaches - cognitive behavioral therapy to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, motivational interviewing to support change, psychodynamic ideas to explore relational patterns, and client-centered techniques that prioritize the individual's perspectives. Treatment plans and session dialogue are tailored to each person’s needs, goals, and unique strengths.

Dr. Pavela addresses a broad set of concerns including grief, intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping difficulties, ADHD, bipolar concerns, caregiver stress, and career or life transitions. She focuses on empowering clients through collaborative work and practical strategies to help them manage symptoms, improve relationships, and navigate meaningful change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Kristen Pavela draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing in her online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a respectful, empathic space where the client's own goals and values guide the work - it helps people build self-awareness and confidence in decision making. Cognitive behavioral therapy examines the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical tools to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and problematic habits. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, nonjudgmental method that helps people resolve ambivalence and strengthen their motivation for change, which is especially useful for addictions and behavior change.

Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Dr. Pavela works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit best given their needs, goals, and preferences. This collaborative style helps tailor interventions and adjust strategies over time so therapy remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options allow clients to engage in therapy from different settings and schedules, making it easier to maintain consistency while addressing life demands. Licensed professionals can adapt these modalities to deliver interactive, goal-oriented sessions that support progress from anywhere.