Kristen Hughes, LCSW

Arizona · 29 years in practice

Kristen Hughes is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression.

License and registration

LCSW, Arizona: LCSW-2919 · expires October 2027
NPI: 1427113562 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 29
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.

About Kristen

Kristen Hughes is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. She speaks plainly and aims to make beginning therapy feel less overwhelming for someone taking that first step. Kristen draws on almost three decades of experience in Arizona to guide conversations and set clear goals.

She creates an open space where clients can name difficult feelings and work through them at their own pace.

Background and approach

Sessions focus on what matters in everyday life and on small changes that make a difference. Her approach blends client-centered listening with practical tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. She also uses EMDR as part of trauma-focused work when it fits the client's needs.

Motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques help people find forward movement when they feel stuck. Kristen prefers to tailor the plan to each person. That can mean learning ways to manage anxiety, practicing communication skills for strained relationships, or addressing painful memories in a stepwise way.

She emphasizes clear steps and regular check-ins so progress is visible. Many clients appreciate a calm, straightforward style that balances support with skill building. Kristen aims to meet people where they are and help them build routines and coping strategies that fit day-to-day life.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Kristen lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Self esteem
Depression
Abandonment
Adoption and foster care
Aging and geriatric issues
Attachment issues
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
Avoidant personality
Blended family issues
Body image
Cancer
Caregiver issues and stress
Chronic pain, illness, and disability
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Divorce and separation
Eating and food-related issues
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Fatherhood issues
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Impulsivity
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Personality disorders
Phobias
Postpartum depression
Post-traumatic stress
Prejudice and discrimination
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Sexual assault and abuse
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Traumatic brain injury
Trichotillomania
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues

Approaches Kristen names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

How her approaches work online

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what the client says so they feel understood and can explore their own goals; it helps when someone needs steady support and a nonjudgmental space to sort feelings.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, uses clear steps to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and it often includes practical homework to reduce anxiety or depression symptoms between sessions.

EMDR is used as a trauma-focused option when appropriate, and it involves structured processing of distressing memories in a paced way to reduce their emotional intensity.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Kristen works collaboratively to pick methods that match each person's needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people with busy schedules or mobility limits. Video calls let the therapist and client connect face to face, phone sessions can be a simpler option when video is difficult, and live chat or text-based messaging is useful for brief check-ins, homework review, or ongoing support between sessions.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Kristen commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, and depression, plus related issues such as attachment, codependency, and caregiver stress.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is direct and warm, combining careful listening with practical tools to manage symptoms and improve everyday functioning.

How much experience does she have?

Kristen brings 29 years of professional experience to her practice in Arizona.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds an LCSW credential and practices in Arizona.

Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?

She accepts international clients and conducts sessions with people who live outside the U.S.

Which session formats does she offer?

Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How are sessions billed and what do they cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What do I do to start therapy with her?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to her availability.

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