Kristen Kasperek, LCPC, LPC

Kristen Kasperek is an experienced licensed counselor based in Illinois who brings a practical, person-focused approach to therapy. With 14 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and couples in both individual and group settings, she draws on a broad clinical background that includes time as a Psycho Social Rehabilitation Therapist and certifications in working with OCD and PTSD. Kristen has substantial experience supporting people with chronic mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, and she also helps those coping with grief, self-esteem challenges, difficult relationships, and trauma.

Kristen combines clinical skill with career-focused guidance, helping undergraduate and graduate students explore personality and interests through tools like the MBTI and the Strong Interest Inventory. She assists clients in translating self-discovery into practical steps - from choosing degree programs to navigating job searches, resume and cover letter development, interview preparation, and negotiation tactics. Her work as a career counselor emphasizes helping people recognize misfits between work and values and find ways to pursue more satisfying paths.

Her therapeutic style prioritizes a relaxed, non-threatening professional relationship and the development of individualized strategies that produce measurable results. Kristen holds LCPC and LPC credentials, which are professional licenses to practice counseling, and she earned a Master’s degree in Community Counseling with a focus on mental illness and career counseling, along with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. She welcomes the opportunity to help clients move past obstacles and toward a more fulfilling life.

CBT and collaborative counseling delivered online

Kristen utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts and develop practical strategies for managing symptoms. CBT is action-oriented and works well for issues like anxiety, mood disorders, panic, and patterns of negative thinking by teaching concrete skills to change behavior and emotional responses.

Alongside CBT, Kristen emphasizes a collaborative, individualized counseling style that centers on building a relaxed, non-threatening therapeutic relationship and creating tailored plans. This approach helps clients address career decisions, relationship concerns, trauma recovery, and life transitions by combining clinical techniques with practical problem-solving and goal setting.

Online therapy with Kristen is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit counseling into busy schedules and different life circumstances. These options provide flexibility for ongoing work between sessions and make it possible to access licensed professionals from home or other locations. Kristen works with each person to determine which format and therapeutic strategies best match their needs, goals, and preferences in a collaborative process.