Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I graduated with my Master's in Social Work degree from UNC Chapel Hill in 2007. I am passionate about meeting you where you are, helping you navigate and explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without judgement. If you are feeling ready to learn more about yourself and to find ways to develop more effective coping skills, reach out today!
In our first session we will begin to learn about one another. We will explore your reasons for seeking therapy. We will begin to discuss methods for managing any negative symptoms you are experiencing.
I approach my practice with compassion, empathy and nonjudgmental understanding. With my holistic mindset, I seek to help people navigate stress, mental health issues and "life" in general. I utilize strength based practice modalities, CBT, TFCBT, Motivational Interviewing techniques, Mindfulness and Self Esteem building to help people achieve their goals for wellness.
Kristi Rakes offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
Conducting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is pretty straightforward: I will help you explore the connection with how thoughts lead to feelings. Help you examine the your beliefs. Then we will navigate identifying distorted thoughts, and how that leading to negative feelings. We will then practice changing your thoughts thought creating a counter thought.
We will seek to understand how repressed emotions from the past affect current decision-making, behavior, and relationships. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are finding self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior.
Mindfulness-based interventions focus on using a stress reduction lens during treatment. Mindfulness practices help people better control and regulate their thoughts and emotions instead of being controlled by them.