Kristen Kakanis, LCSW

Kristen Kakanis is a Tennessee-licensed clinical social worker with ten years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges. Kristen aims to create a calm, respectful space where clients can talk through what matters most to them.

She works from the belief that each person knows their own story best and already has strengths to draw on. Sessions emphasize practical steps and encouragement. Kristen supports people as they build confidence, manage anger, and find motivation to change.

Her work often addresses self-esteem concerns, depression, grief, and struggles with addiction. She also helps people coping with life changes, parenting strain, career stress, and compassion fatigue. Conversations are centered on what the client wants to accomplish and which small changes could make daily life easier.

Kristen uses approaches that focus on the person’s goals and skills. She leans on techniques that help reframe thoughts, set achievable steps, and boost motivation. Expect straightforward language and a collaborative tone in session.

She encourages people to take the first step toward a more satisfying life. Kristen offers practical support and helps clients build strategies they can use between sessions.

How these approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy places the client’s priorities front and center. The therapist listens closely, follows what matters most, and helps the client set the pace and focus for each session. This approach is useful when someone wants a supportive, nonjudgmental space to sort through feelings and decisions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, behaviors, and emotions interact. It uses clear, practical exercises to test unhelpful thoughts and build new coping skills. CBT works well for stress, anxiety, and mood concerns where small changes in thinking and habit can make a difference.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist collaborates with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. That means trying things, checking what helps, and adjusting plans together over time.

Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time for appointments. They can also make it simpler to keep continuity of care while managing work, family, and other responsibilities.