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KK Portrait of Kristen Kakanis

Kristen Kakanis

Compassionate, strength-based clinical social worker

LCSW Tennessee

Experience
10 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Anger
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Kristen

About Kristen

Kristen Kakanis is a Tennessee-licensed LCSW with a decade of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, anger, self-esteem, depression, addictions, trauma, grief, parenting concerns, career transitions, and compassion fatigue.

Background and approach

She approaches each person as the authority on their own life, partnering with clients to build on existing strengths and move toward meaningful change. Her style emphasizes encouragement and practical support.

Kristen blends evidence-based techniques with a client-centered stance, using clear, goal-oriented methods to address motivation, confidence, and coping with life changes. She frames therapy as a collaborative process that invites courage and steady effort, offering guidance while respecting each individual's pace and priorities.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Kristen commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in her online practice. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical skills to shift them, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. Client-Centered Therapy centers the client's perspective, emphasizing empathy, active listening, and support to help people explore values and make personally meaningful choices.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic work, and she treats that choice as a collaborative decision. Together with clients she evaluates goals, preferences, and responses to different strategies, adjusting methods as needed to find what best supports progress and comfort in sessions.

Online options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which offer flexibility for scheduling and convenience for those balancing work, family, or mobility concerns. These formats also allow for ongoing contact between sessions in ways that can reinforce skills and maintain momentum toward goals.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship problems, anger, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting matters, career shifts, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?
Her practice combines a client-centered stance with practical, goal-oriented techniques to support motivation and confidence, emphasizing collaboration and building on clients' strengths.
What background and experience does she bring?
She has 10 years of professional experience working in clinical settings and community care, applying a variety of evidence-informed methods to help clients move forward.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Tennessee with the credential listed as TN LCSW 6537.
Does she provide services in any other languages or accept international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for working together?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing for different styles of engagement depending on preference.
How is pricing handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are accessed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesAnger managementSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Tennessee

Languages

English