Kristen Paeth

Kristen Paeth is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who offers practical, down-to-earth support for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, grief, anxiety, depression, or trauma. She speaks plainly and listens closely to help people make small, workable changes. Kristen aims to meet each person where they are and to help them move toward clearer goals.

She has eight years of clinical experience and a Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Before becoming a therapist she worked in Child Protective Services and provided in-home autism therapy. That background shaped her comfort with people navigating complex life moments and legal or addiction-related challenges.

Kristen uses a client-centered style that focuses on building trust and understanding. She combines practical tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with solution-focused steps and mindfulness practices. Sessions often include goal-setting, problem-solving, and skills people can use between meetings.

Trauma-Focused Therapy is part of her approach for people who have experienced traumatic events. She also draws on motivational interviewing to help people find their own reasons to change, whether the issue is substance use, coping with caregiving stress, or managing intense emotions.

Her work covers a wide range of concerns, including relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and fatherhood concerns, compassion fatigue, and some lesser-discussed topics such as BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture. Kristen encourages honest conversation and practical steps toward improvement.

Approaches that translate well to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting relationship and listening closely to what matters most. Online sessions can still create that connection through steady, attentive conversation and goal setting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) gives concrete skills to change unhelpful thinking and behavior, which can be taught and practiced between sessions with clear worksheets and check-ins. Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses the impact of traumatic events with careful pacing and grounding techniques that therapists can guide clients through in session.

Figuring out which approach fits best is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to match methods to goals, needs, and comfort level, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. Clients are invited to share what works and what doesn’t so sessions stay useful and goal-oriented.

The practical benefits of online therapy make it easier to fit support into busy lives. Online care can reduce travel time, allow sessions during lunch breaks or evenings, and make shorter check-ins possible when needed. Because specific session formats are not listed in the biography, confirm the available options before booking so you know how sessions will be held. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT, trauma-focused techniques, and client-centered work to remote settings to help people practice skills, track progress, and stay accountable between meetings.