Dr. Kristen Pavela , LCSW

Dr. Kristen Pavela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Doctor of Social Work and ten years of clinical experience. She practices in Wisconsin and has worked with people facing stress, anxiety, mood struggles, addiction, and trauma. Her manner is warm and interactive, and she aims to treat people with respect and compassion.

She focuses on practical conversations that help clients make changes. Sessions often center on clear goals, manageable steps, and talking through patterns that get in the way. Kristen uses straightforward tools from cognitive behavioral methods and motivational interviewing to support change.

Her background includes work with people coping with relationship strain, parenting stress, grief, and issues around intimacy and self‑esteem. She has substantial experience with addiction and domestic violence concerns, and with the emotional effects of trauma and abuse. That experience informs how she plans treatment and safety in sessions.

Kristen also pays attention to deeper life patterns rooted in attachment and past relationships. She draws on psychodynamic ideas to help people understand recurring feelings and choices. At the same time she keeps the work goal-focused and practical so clients can see progress between sessions.

Her style is collaborative: she adapts the pace, techniques, and topics to each person. People who want clear next steps alongside empathetic listening tend to fit well with her approach. If someone is ready to make changes, she offers steady support and straightforward guidance.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Client‑Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person's experience. The therapist offers empathy and supports people in finding their own solutions, which can help with self‑esteem, relationship worries, and life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It uses practical tools to break unhelpful patterns and is useful for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and some addiction issues.

Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons to change. It uses open questions and reflective listening to build motivation for moving away from addictive behaviors or toward healthier routines.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose or blend methods that match their goals and preferences. That means trying options, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together.

Online therapy formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text‑based messaging. Video lets people use visual cues for deeper conversation. Phone sessions can fit a tighter schedule or use less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging allow brief check‑ins or ongoing written support between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into daily life and keep momentum between meetings.