Profile / United States
Kim Padula, LCSW
Tennessee
LCSW - Stress and mood concerns
See online therapy options- CBT methods
- Client-centered work
- DBT skills
About Kim
Kim Padula is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) with 26 years of practice experience in Tennessee. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, bipolar symptoms, relationship and family concerns, grief, anger, self-esteem, career questions, and compassion fatigue. She also focuses on aging and caregiver stress, first responder issues, and mood and panic disorders.
Kim uses a team-oriented approach in sessions. She begins by reviewing a person’s history and the relationships that shaped them. Together they set clear goals and map a plan for therapy that is reviewed and adjusted as needed. Her work emphasizes noticing strengths as well as vulnerabilities and increasing options for how to respond to difficulties.
In practice she uses methods drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centered approaches, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy among other influences. Sessions aim for practical steps - noticing unhelpful thoughts, trying different coping skills, and tracking what changes. Therapy mixes discussion with concrete practice and planning.
Kim trained in psychology at Vanderbilt University and completed a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. She frames therapy around perspective, accountability, support, and growth rather than solely insight. That means sessions include both understanding patterns and trying small experiments to change them.
Her process is collaborative: the client and Kim define targets, measure progress, and adjust the plan over time. People interested in starting will use the site process to complete a short questionnaire and schedule an initial appointment.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what matters to the person. In practice that means sessions spend time clarifying goals and reviewing what feels most relevant each week. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets thoughts and behaviors with short exercises and homework. Online sessions can be used to learn those skills, plan experiments, and review progress between meetings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes skills for managing intense emotions and improving communication and can include practical coaching on coping strategies.Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to pick methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That plan is reviewed periodically and adjusted based on what helps most.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the current options before booking. Online work can help fit therapy into busy schedules - it can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins during a work break, or make it easier to use video or phone when circumstances call for it. The focus is on practical, structured steps that can be practiced between sessions and discussed together.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
Tennessee
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, bipolar issues, grief, anger, self-esteem, relationship and family concerns, and related areas listed on her profile.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
CBT is used to notice unhelpful thoughts and test different responses. Sessions include practical exercises and tracking what changes between meetings.
What is her clinical background?
She studied psychology at Vanderbilt University and holds a masters degree in Clinical Social Work. She has practiced for 26 years.
What credential and location are listed?
She is an LCSW licensed in Tennessee and practices from that state.
Which languages and international arrangements are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Confirm current session options before booking to know whether phone or video is available.
How is cost handled?
Fees vary by 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.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.