Kristie Pagel-Compagner , LMSW

Kristie Pagel-Compagner is a Licensed Master Social Worker with 25 years of clinical experience in Michigan. She focuses on helping people manage depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mood concerns in a straightforward and compassionate way. Kristie aims to make therapy feel understandable and practical for everyday life.

Her practice emphasizes a collaborative, client-centered approach. She listens for each person’s goals and tailors sessions to what will help them most. Common areas she addresses include bipolar disorder, panic attacks, low self-esteem, and stress related to caregiving or chronic illness.

Kristie also works with people facing family of origin issues, grief, guilt and shame, and challenges with communication. She brings experience supporting those coping with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, divorce and separation, and feelings of emptiness or isolation. Sessions often balance present-day problem solving with exploration of past patterns that keep repeating.

Her methods draw from cognitive behavioral strategies to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, dialectical skills to manage intense emotions, and psychodynamic ideas to understand long-standing relationship patterns. Kristie uses these tools to help clients practice new skills between sessions.

Therapy can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Kristie works in English and provides care within Michigan. She does not accept international clients.

Online approaches for mood and trauma

Kristie uses client-centered work to focus on each person's priorities and strengths. This approach means sessions begin with what matters most to the client and build on their own resources to make change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors; it often helps with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and mood regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Kristie collaborates with clients to choose or blend methods based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She checks in regularly to see what is helping and adapts plans when clients want a different focus or pace.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit varied schedules. Video lets people meet face to face when they prefer that interaction. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Chat and messaging are options for written reflections, quick skill practice, or when someone wants to work without being on camera. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to continue work between appointments.