Kristen Shepherd, LMSW

Based in Michigan 15 years in practice Online sessions

Calm, practical therapy for life and relationships

Works with

How Kristen works

Practical facts

Credentials: LMSW
Licensed in: Michigan
Years in practice: 15
Languages: English
Session format: Online, through our partner platform

About Kristen

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 moved from school-based roles into individual and couple work. Kristen focuses on building strong therapeutic relationships and meeting people where they are.

Her style is warm and practical. Sessions focus on clear goals and small steps people can take between meetings. She listens for patterns from the past that affect current behavior and helps clients try new ways of relating and coping.

Background and approach

Kristen works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship and intimacy concerns, and trauma and abuse. She also supports people facing addiction, parenting strain, grief, sleep and eating issues, ADHD, bipolar challenges, and many other life changes. She can help LGBT clients and those dealing with blended family or caregiver stress.

She uses a mix of approaches depending on the person and the issue. That can include attachment-based work to strengthen relationships, cognitive-behavioral strategies to change unhelpful thoughts and actions, and client-centered listening to clarify values and goals. When trauma is part of the story she focuses on identifying wounds that keep people stuck.

She helps clients build new responses and safer ways of connecting. Kristen aims to make therapy a collaborative process focused on realistic, observable change.

What Kristen works with

Everything Kristen lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Kristen's practice.

Approaches Kristen lists

Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.

Therapeutic approaches that translate well to online care

Attachment-based work focuses on patterns in close relationships. It helps people notice how early bonds shape current connections and learn new ways of relating that increase trust and closeness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It offers practical exercises and experiments that reduce anxiety, manage anger, and shift unhelpful behaviors. Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will review a person’s goals, history, and preferences and together they decide which methods make the most sense. That gives space to try different strategies and adjust the plan as progress is made. Online therapy makes it easier to fit sessions into a busy life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversations for relationship work and emotion-focused moments. Phone sessions can be a good alternative when bandwidth or cameras are limited. Live chat or text-based messaging supports quick check-ins, short reflections between sessions, or ongoing motivational support. These options help people stay consistent while addressing stress, anger, trauma, or relationship issues from wherever they are.

Questions people ask about Kristen

What kinds of concerns does Kristen address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, relationship and intimacy problems, trauma and abuse, and related issues such as addiction, grief, parenting strain, sleep and eating difficulties, and ADHD.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her approach is warm, direct, and practical. Sessions focus on listening, clarifying goals, and trying small changes that can improve daily life and relationships.

What is her clinical background?

She graduated from the University of Michigan School of Social Work in 2010 and has 15 years of experience, including a decade in high-needs school settings before moving into individual and couple work.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is an LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker - practicing in Michigan.

Which languages are supported and can international clients connect?

Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.

What session formats does she offer?

Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What is the process to begin therapy?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.