Kristilee (Kristi) Cappaert , LCSW, LISW

Kristilee (Kristi) Cappaert is a licensed social worker with clinical licenses in both Illinois and Iowa, holding the credential LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and LISW - Licensed Independent Social Worker. She brings more than five years of counseling experience across Illinois and Iowa, supporting people through depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, life-balance struggles, and job-related stress.

Her clinical work has included children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, allowing her to draw on a broad understanding of developmental and relational challenges. She combines evidence-informed methods such as Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness techniques, and Motivational Interviewing to tailor care to each person’s needs.

Kristi emphasizes empowerment and practical insight, helping clients explore patterns of thinking, automatic beliefs, and behaviors that influence daily life. She collaborates with clients to identify which interventions will best support their goals, paying attention to personal strengths and the realities of each situation. Her aim is to guide people toward meaningful changes while respecting their pace and preferences.

Approaches and Online Options for Collaborative Care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the individual’s own goals and values, creating space for people to be heard and to explore what matters most to them. This approach supports self-direction and is helpful for concerns like relationship issues, life transitions, and self-esteem.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, and stress. It uses practical strategies and skill-building to address patterns that interfere with daily functioning.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, making it a useful option for intense emotions, relationship conflicts, and coping under pressure.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process and is treated as a collaborative effort. The therapist will work with each person to consider their needs, goals, and preferences and will adjust techniques over time to find the best fit.

Online therapy offers flexible access to care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity when life is hectic, and use different communication styles that match individual comfort and needs.