Kristie Pagel-Compagner, LMSW

Kristie Pagel-Compagner is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with 25 years of experience supporting people through emotional and life challenges. She draws on a broad clinical background to help clients manage depression, anxiety, trauma, and the transitions that accompany major life changes. Kristie works collaboratively with older adults, women, and young professionals, focusing on strengthening communication, building self-compassion, and addressing mood disorders and relationship difficulties.

Her practice emphasizes respectful listening and practical guidance for issues such as caregiver stress, chronic illness and disability, attachment concerns, and healing from past wounds. Kristie integrates evidence-based techniques with a client-centered stance, meeting individuals where they are while helping them develop resilience and healthier ways of coping. She aims to create a warm, non-judgmental atmosphere where exploration and growth are encouraged.

Across long-term and short-term concerns, Kristie supports personal transformation by helping clients identify patterns, set achievable goals, and reclaim a sense of inner strength. Her approach balances empathy with clinical skill, offering tailored support for those seeking relief from mood symptoms, trauma responses, and the daily stresses that interfere with well-being.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Kristie frequently uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on empathetic listening and supporting clients to find their own solutions, which can be helpful for building self-esteem, improving communication, and navigating life transitions. CBT is a structured approach that helps people identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and replace them with more effective strategies, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and mood regulation.

She also incorporates Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills when emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness are priorities. DBT skills offer practical tools for managing intense emotions, reducing impulsive reactions, and improving relationships. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process - Kristie collaborates with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences.

Online therapy sessions provide flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to access licensed professionals from locations that work for them. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care during life changes, and choose formats that feel most comfortable for each individual.