Profile / United States
Kristen Kakanis, LCSW
Tennessee
LCSW - stress and anxiety focus
See online therapy options- CBT informed
- Motivational interviewing
- Solution focused work
About Kristen
Kristen Kakanis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Tennessee with 10 years of professional experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship strain, and challenges like addictions, grief, parenting stress, career shifts, and compassion fatigue. Kristen emphasizes practical work that addresses what is happening now and what people can do differently.
Her approach treats the client as the expert on their own life. She listens to a person's story and highlights strengths that can be used to manage problems. Sessions focus on clear steps and skills people can try between meetings. Kristen uses methods that help notice unhelpful thoughts and change unhelpful habits.
She often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at thinking patterns and behavior. She also draws on client-centered techniques to keep conversations focused on the client's goals. Motivational Interviewing and solution-focused ideas are used when people need help finding direction or deciding on next steps.
Kristen aims for straightforward sessions with practical suggestions. She helps people build small habits that reduce stress and improve coping. Work can include planning for tough conversations, managing anger, changing routines, or setting gradual goals for recovery from addiction.
People who prefer clear, structured work and step-by-step plans may find this approach useful. To begin, the recommended next step is to use the site's matching process and schedule an initial session to set priorities and expectations.
How CBT and practical approaches are used online
Kristen uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT sessions often involve tracking thoughts, testing assumptions, and practicing new responses to reduce anxiety or improve mood.She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which means conversations focus on the client's priorities and perspective. Motivational Interviewing is used when people need help clarifying reasons for change and building internal motivation.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Kristen will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That may mean starting with short, solution-focused steps and adding CBT skill work over time.
Confirm the available session formats before booking so you know what options exist. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. The goal is to make therapy practical and workable within everyday life while focusing on clear, testable steps that move toward your goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Tennessee
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship issues, addictions, grief, parenting strain, career changes, and compassion fatigue.
How would she describe her therapy style?
Her style is practical and structured, focusing on skills and steps people can try between sessions.
How much professional experience does she have?
She has 10 years of experience working in social work and clinical settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds the LCSW credential and is licensed in Tennessee.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking by using the site matching process and scheduling flow.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
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.