Kristi Rakes, LCSW, LISW-CP

Kristi Rakes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who offers a calm, straightforward space for people to talk about stress, anxiety, grief, and everyday challenges. She approaches conversations with empathy and without judgment. Kristi aims to help people find their strengths and build simple skills to feel better day to day.

Her background includes 13 years working in mental health across a range of settings. She brings experience with mood concerns such as depression and bipolar disorder, and with issues like grief, parenting strain, addiction, and compassion fatigue. She also supports people facing life transitions, caregiving burdens, and challenges around identity and intimacy.

In sessions she uses practical, evidence-informed approaches including client-centered work, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and narrative methods. That means she helps people notice unhelpful thought patterns, practice small behavior changes, and try new ways of telling their story to reduce distress.

Kristi holds LCSW and LISW-CP credentials and is based in North Carolina. She conducts work in English and does not take international clients. Costs vary with location and use a cancellable subscription model.

To begin, a person selects the Start Therapy button, completes a short matching questionnaire, and schedules according to therapist availability. This initial step helps match goals and practical needs before the first meeting.

How her approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what matters to the person. It helps people feel heard and clarifies goals for change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and everyday habits that keep problems alive, and teaches small, practical skills to shift those patterns. Mindfulness Therapy teaches ways to notice thoughts and feelings without getting swept up by them, which can ease anxiety and rumination.

Kristi treats finding the right approach as a team effort. She will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what feels doable. Together they try methods that match the client’s needs and adjust the plan when something isn’t working.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Some people prefer audio for lower bandwidth or no video, while others like using structured worksheets or guided mindfulness exercises during sessions. Kristi will discuss which arrangements best suit practical needs and therapeutic goals during the initial scheduling and intake.