(she/her/hers)

Kris Sylvester is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who provides therapy for couples, children, adolescents, and families navigating emotional, relational, and developmental challenges. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, with a concentration in Mental Health with Adults and a certification in Trauma-Informed Practice. Kris provides outpatient counseling at CLE Counseling and Wellness Center in Westlake, Ohio, serving clients from Cuyahoga County, Lorain County, and the greater Cleveland area, as well as telehealth throughout Ohio.

Before becoming a therapist, Kris worked as a teacher, giving her a strong foundation in understanding child development, learning styles, and the dynamics that show up in both classrooms and families. This background continues to inform her work with children and caregivers, especially when navigating behavioral concerns, emotional regulation, and family communication.

Kris takes a humanistic, relational approach to therapy and is especially drawn to Gestalt therapy, which focuses on increasing awareness, understanding patterns in the present moment, and creating meaningful change through experience—not just insight. She integrates this work within a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive framework, creating a space where clients feel both supported and empowered.

Kris has particular experience working with:
– Couples looking to improve communication, rebuild connection, or navigate conflict.
– Children and adolescents needing support with emotional regulation, behavior, or transitions.
– Parents and families working to better understand and support their child.
– Individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, or life transitions.

Kris believes therapy should be active, collaborative, and grounded in real-life experiences, helping clients not only understand themselves but also make meaningful changes in how they relate to others.

Kris is under the work supervision of Samantha Willi, LPCC-S, E.1800536-SUPV.

Outside of the office, Kris enjoys spending time outdoors tending to her garden or simply watching the clouds roll by.

At a glance:
– Name: Kris Sylvester, LSW.
– Profession: Licensed Social Worker.
– Practice: CLE Counseling and Wellness Center.
– Location: Westlake, Ohio.
– Serves: Couples, children, adolescents, families, and individual adults in Cuyahoga County, Lorain County, the greater Cleveland area, and via telehealth throughout Ohio.
– Specialties: Couple counseling, child and adolescent therapy, family support, emotional regulation, behavior concerns, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions.
– Therapy approaches: Humanistic and relational therapy, Gestalt therapy, trauma-informed practice, anti-oppressive framework, child- and family-focused work.

Who Kris helps:
Kris works with couples who want to strengthen communication and connection, children and adolescents needing support with emotions and behavior, and parents and families who are trying to better understand and support their child. She also works with individual adults navigating anxiety, trauma, and life transitions, and may be a strong fit for people who want therapy that is experiential, relational, and grounded in real-life contexts.

Conditions and concerns addressed:
– Couple and relationship concerns, including communication and conflict.
– Family dynamics and parent–child relationships.
– Child and adolescent emotional regulation and behavior challenges.
– School and transition-related stress for children and adolescents.
– Anxiety and trauma.
– Life transitions and adjustment challenges.

Therapy approaches:
– Humanistic and relational counseling.
– Gestalt therapy focused on here-and-now experience and awareness.
– Trauma-informed practice.
– Anti-oppressive, affirming framework.
– Child- and family-focused interventions.

What issues does Kris Sylvester treat?
Kris Sylvester works with couples, children, adolescents, families, and individual adults who are navigating relationship concerns, emotional regulation challenges, behavior issues, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions.

What type of therapy does Kris Sylvester use?
Kris uses a humanistic, relational approach and is especially drawn to Gestalt therapy, integrating trauma-informed and anti-oppressive principles to help clients increase awareness, understand patterns, and create meaningful change through lived experience.

Who is a good fit to work with Kris?
Kris may be a good fit for couples who want to improve communication and connection, families seeking support for their child, and individuals who want an active, collaborative, and experiential approach to therapy.

Does Kris Sylvester offer telehealth in Ohio?
Yes. Kris provides in-person counseling in Westlake, Ohio and telehealth services for clients located throughout Ohio.

Where is Kris Sylvester’s counseling practice located?
Kris sees clients through CLE Counseling and Wellness Center in Westlake, Ohio, serving the greater Cleveland area, including Cuyahoga County and Lorain County.

What can clients expect in therapy with Kris?
Clients can expect therapy that is active, collaborative, and grounded in real-life experiences, with a focus on increasing awareness, improving relationships, supporting children and families, and making meaningful changes in how they relate to themselves and others.