Kristen Schmauder , LISW

Kristen Schmauder is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with professional licensure in both Missouri and Ohio and six years of clinical experience. She has worked with individuals and families across residential programs, in-home services, and private practice, bringing practical knowledge from diverse care settings to each therapeutic relationship.

Her clinical work addresses a broad spectrum of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, self-esteem, life transitions, relationship and family issues, parenting challenges, career or school obstacles, and ADHD. She also has substantial experience supporting people who have experienced trauma, particularly neglect and emotional or physical abuse.

Kristen approaches therapy with warmth, understanding, and collaboration, treating each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Her practice blends cognitive-behavioral strategies, psychodynamic insight, strengths-based perspective, and solution-focused techniques, and she tailors sessions and treatment plans to each client’s unique needs. Seeking change takes courage, and Kristen aims to support and empower those ready to take that step. She would be honored to work alongside clients as they pursue a more fulfilling and balanced life.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Virtual Care

Kristen integrates cognitive-behavioral strategies and strengths-based techniques into her work. Cognitive-behavioral approaches focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical skills to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, and stress. Strengths-based work emphasizes a client’s existing resources and resilience, helping people build on what already works to address relationship, parenting, or life-transition challenges.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Kristen partners with each person to explore goals, preferences, and responses to different techniques, adapting the treatment plan over time to find the best fit for the client’s needs.

When working with Kristen, sessions may take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for varied schedules and life demands. These remote options make it easier to maintain continuity of care across busy days, to access therapy from home or other locations, and to engage in shorter check-ins or longer sessions as needed, while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor the process to each client.