Kristi Rakes, LCSW, LISW-CP

Kristi Rakes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who aims to make talking about hard things feel possible. She offers calm, nonjudgmental support for people dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, and trauma and abuse. Her approach is warm and practical, focused on small steps people can use right away.

Kristi draws on 13 years of clinical experience in mental health. She uses client-centered methods that follow each person’s pace, and she often pairs that with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing are also part of her toolbox when clients want clearer goals or to build self-esteem.

She has experience with end-of-life and caregiver concerns, aging and geriatric issues, and a range of mood and anxiety problems including panic, obsessive-compulsive patterns, postpartum depression, and bipolar mood management. Kristi also supports people facing addiction, compassion fatigue, and the stress of major life changes.

Kristi works from a strengths-focused perspective. She helps people identify what they already do well and how to use those strengths toward recovery and healthier routines. Her style is collaborative and straightforward, with attention to practical coping skills.

Sessions are conducted in English and Kristi practices in North Carolina. Prospective clients should confirm current session formats and scheduling details before booking.

How her approaches fit into online therapy

Kristi commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the client's pace so the person feels heard and supported. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at thoughts and behaviors to find small, practical changes that reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

She also integrates Mindfulness Therapy to teach simple attention and breathing skills that help manage anxiety and reactivity. Mindfulness can be especially useful when someone needs short tools to ground themselves during stress or panic moments.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kristi will talk with each person about goals, strengths, and preferences, and she will adapt methods collaboratively rather than using a single fixed model. That way the plan reflects what the client needs and what feels doable.

Confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking, since formats are not listed in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, reduce travel time, and offer options for people who prefer not to commute. Licensed professionals can often tailor pacing, homework, and mindfulness exercises to match an online schedule.