Kristen Shepherd

Kristen Shepherd is a Licensed Master Social Worker with 15 years of clinical experience. She trained at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and spent a decade supporting students in high-needs school settings before shifting to individual and couples work. Kristen focuses on building strong therapeutic relationships and meeting people where they are.

She works with adults on concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, and addiction. She also supports people coping with grief, parenting strain, body image and eating concerns, sleep difficulties, and life changes. Kristen helps clients facing mood challenges including bipolar disorder and disruptive mood dysregulation, as well as attention and focus concerns like ADHD.

Her approach is collaborative and tailored. Kristen blends Trauma-Focused Therapy, Attachment-Based ideas, Client-Centered care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy. She focuses on identifying painful or traumatic patterns and gently testing new ways of relating and thinking. Sessions aim to strengthen communication, reduce symptoms, and build skills for daily life.

Kristen is comfortable working with issues tied to aging, caregiving stress, chronic illness, blended family dynamics, domestic violence, and recovery from abandonment or separation. She pays attention to challenges that overlap, such as co-occurring medical and mental health needs.

People who choose her practice can expect a warm, straightforward clinician who values honesty and steady progress. Kristen’s goal is to partner with each person to clarify goals and take practical steps toward change.

How chosen approaches guide online work

Kristen uses Trauma-Focused Therapy to help people recognize and process psychological wounds. This approach focuses on identifying how past events affect current feelings and relationships and on developing safer ways to cope. Attachment-Based Therapy is used to notice patterns in how people relate to others and to build more secure ways of connecting. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and working at the client's pace so goals come from the person rather than being imposed.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kristen collaborates with each person to pick methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan when something isn’t working so therapy stays practical and relevant.

The biography does not specify session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins between commitments, and avoid travel time. It also makes scheduling across different time zones possible for international clients. Kristen will discuss how to structure sessions so they match your day-to-day routine and therapeutic goals.