Dr. Kristen Pavela , LCSW

Dr. Kristen Pavela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a doctorate in social work and ten years of clinical experience in Wisconsin. She has extensive experience supporting people facing depression, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, relationship and family challenges, grief, intimacy and sexual concerns, eating and sleeping problems, parenting and fatherhood issues, career stress, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and coping with major life changes. Her practice also addresses abandonment and attachment difficulties, caregiver stress, codependency, communication and control problems, domestic violence, substance use, infidelity, isolation and loneliness, guilt and shame, impulsivity, and related concerns.

Her counseling style is warm, interactive, and strengths oriented. She approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion and avoids stigmatizing labels. Dr. Pavela blends client-centered methods with cognitive behavioral strategies, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic perspectives to meet the needs of each individual. She works collaboratively to shape conversations and tailor treatment plans around a person’s specific history, goals, and preferences.

Pursuing change can take courage, and Dr. Pavela focuses on supporting and empowering people as they take those steps. She offers practical tools and reflective guidance to help clients build coping skills, improve relationships, and move toward a more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Kristen Pavela draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing to guide online work. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy and collaboration, helping people feel heard while exploring their values and goals; it is useful for relationship concerns, self-esteem, and attachment issues. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering practical strategies for anxiety, depression, sleep and eating difficulties, and many stress-related problems. Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, nonjudgmental method that helps enhance motivation for change and is often helpful with addictions, ambivalence about behavior change, and improving commitment to treatment.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Pavela partners with each person to determine what fits best given their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative exploration can include trying different strategies and adapting the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers greater flexibility in how sessions take place. Video calls allow face-to-face connection, phone sessions can be easier to fit into a schedule, and live chat or text-based messaging provide ongoing support between scheduled meetings. These options help make consistent care more accessible for people balancing work, family, or geographic constraints.