- Years in practice
- 13
- Credentials
- LCSW, LISW-CP
- Licensed in
- North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Grief
- Focus
- Self esteem
About Kristi
Kristi Rakes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Independent Social Worker-Conditional Practice (LISW-CP) based in North Carolina. She brings 13 years of clinical experience and a calm, down-to-earth manner to sessions. Parents worried about stress, anxiety, mood problems, or parenting challenges will find practical support and step-by-step tools here.
She focuses on helping people sort through stress, grief, depression, and anxiety. She also addresses relationship struggles, addictive behaviors, self-esteem concerns, and the challenges that come with life transitions.
Background and approach
Parenting is a named area of focus, so she offers help for individual caregivers facing parenting strain. Her approach is person-centered and strengths-based. She listens first, then helps people set realistic goals and try small changes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques are used to spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. Mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing are part of her toolkit. These methods help with staying present, reducing reactivity, and finding personal motivation for change.
Narrative ideas are used when it helps clients reframe difficult life stories. Kristi has experience with issues across the lifespan including aging and caregiver stress, hospice and end-of-life counseling, postpartum depression, and mood disorders. Sessions are offered in English and delivered online through video, phone, live chat, or text messaging.
To begin, the site matching process is used to connect people and schedule sessions.
What Kristi works with
Everything Kristi lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Kristi helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
Approaches Kristi lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches that guide online sessions
Kristi commonly blends Client-Centered Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to make online work feel practical and personal. Client-Centered Therapy centers on the person's experience and values, with the therapist listening, reflecting, and supporting the client's own goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood.She also uses Mindfulness Therapy to teach simple attention and breathing practices that lower reactivity and help people notice patterns. These approaches are chosen to match the issue at hand and the person's preferences rather than following a single method. The therapist will collaborate with each person to figure out what works best based on their goals and life situation.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more flexible. Video lets people use face-to-face conversation when that feels helpful. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a person prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins, homework support, or for people who communicate better in writing.
Questions people ask about Kristi
What concerns does Kristi help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting strain, addictions, self-esteem, trauma, and many related mood and life challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is compassionate and nonjudgmental with a focus on listening first. She uses person-centered methods and practical skills to reach everyday goals.
How much experience does she have?
Kristi has 13 years of experience working in mental health, including work with end-of-life issues and caregiver stress.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LCSW and LISW-CP credentials and practices from North Carolina.
Which languages are supported and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Kristi?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.
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