Kristi Rakes, LCSW, LISW-CP

Kristi Rakes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a second license as an LISW-CP in North Carolina and 13 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, anger, and other life changes. Sessions are described as practical and focused on recognizing strengths during difficult times.

She uses straightforward, person-focused methods rather than jargon. Kristi draws on client-centered work to prioritize what the person brings to the room. She also uses cognitive behavioral ideas to identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and to build alternative responses.

Mindfulness techniques are part of her approach for managing overwhelming feelings and for grounding in the moment. Motivational interviewing is used to help people find their own reasons to change, especially around addictions and behavior shifts. Narrative therapy helps people separate themselves from painful stories they repeat and consider different versions of their experience.

Kristi has experience with end-of-life counseling, caregiving stress, and issues often raised by people who identify as LGBT. She also addresses parenting concerns, intimacy-related difficulties, mood and anxiety disorders, and obsessive or compulsive symptoms. She includes work on forgiveness, guilt, and rebuilding after loss.

Her stated style emphasizes listening, identifying strengths, and using practical skills people can try between sessions. People who want direct strategies for anger, stress, or life transitions may find this approach clear and actionable.

How her approaches translate to online work