Founder, Clinical Therapist
and Yoga Teacher
Kristin Padera
MA, LCPC, EMDR, RYT-200
Therapy for female-identified and LGBTQIA-identified clients 17+
I’m Kristin, a psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and founder of Padera Therapy and Wellness. I believe therapy works best when it honors your full humanity: your quirks, your wisdom, your messiness, and everything in between.
My approach is grounded, honest, and deeply human. I show up as a real person (no therapist mask, minimal clinical jargon) and I invite you to do the same. Together, we’ll slow down, make sense of the patterns keeping you stuck, and build tools that actually work in real life (not just on paper).
I founded Padera Therapy and Wellness in 2017 after realizing how many people were craving therapy that integrates both high-quality clinical care and holistic healing. I blend evidence-based approaches like DBT, CBT, and trauma-informed care with mindfulness, somatic work, and yoga-based practices to support mind, body, and soul healing.
I specialize in working with late-diagnosed neurodivergent women, moms, caretakers, trauma survivors, and those deconstructing from religious or spiritual trauma. As a sex therapist in training, I also love helping women reconnect with their bodies, pleasure, and sexuality, especially after pain, trauma, or years of self-neglect.
If you’re craving a therapy space that feels real, supportive, and a little irreverent, where you can be your full self without judgment, you’re in the right place.
About Me:
When I’m not in the therapy room, I love spending time in nature with my husband and kids. I always have a book in hand and love getting lost in both fiction and interesting memoirs. I enjoy travel, yoga, and being active.
Education:
Masters in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in counseling, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2013
What are your top specialties?
I work primarily with trauma survivors and neurodivergent women/female identified clients who are navigating depression, life transitions, burnout, or identity shifts. I’m especially passionate about supporting parents, caretakers, perfectionists, and folks deconstructing from rigid or harmful belief systems. I also love working with women and female-identified clients who are rebuilding their connection to pleasure, sexuality, and self—whether they’re healing from trauma, chronic pain, or relationship challenges.
What would you say to someone considering therapy with you?
I show up as a full, authentic human—and I invite you to do the same. Therapy with me isn’t about performing or saying the “right” thing. It’s about creating a space where you can show up exactly as you are, be met with compassion and honesty, and start making sense of your story. I believe that connection and trust are at the heart of healing, and from that foundation, we can explore your beliefs, wounds, and the changes you’re ready to make in your life.
What insurance do you accept?
BCBS PPO, Aetna, Anthem, Cigna/Evernorth and United.
What does a typical session with you look like?
My goal is that you leave each session with three things: insight into the roots of what’s coming up for you, compassion for yourself and others, and practical tools to help you move through the world with more ease and confidence. Therapy with me is a mix of reflection, humor, and real talk—equal parts self-discovery and forward movement.
Who is your ideal client?
I love working with late-diagnosed neurodivergent women, LGBTQIA+ folks, trauma survivors, and deep-feeling humans who are ready to dig in, explore family and attachment patterns, and move toward greater self-trust. I also work with clients deconstructing from religious or purity culture trauma and women seeking to reconnect with their bodies, pleasure, and sexuality—especially those healing from pelvic pain or shame-based conditioning.
How do clients describe you?
Clients often describe me as insightful, approachable, honest, and deeply understanding. They say I make it easy to be real—like therapy feels less clinical, more human.
Kristin’s Approach
My approach is integrative and collaborative. After 13 years as a therapist, I’ve gathered a lot of tools—but I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. I draw primarily from my training as an EMDR practitioner, yoga therapist, DBT provider, and sex therapist, while weaving in mindfulness and Buddhist psychology to support deeper awareness and self-compassion.
I’m also a neuro-affirming provider, which means I recognize that what works for neurotypical folks doesn’t always work for neurodivergent minds—and that’s okay. We’ll work together to find approaches that actually fit you, your brain, and your life. I’ll listen when something doesn’t work and adjust with you, not above you. Therapy with me is a process of co-creation, curiosity, and respect for your unique way of being in the world.
Click here for more detailed information on therapeutic modalities.
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that can help manage mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and emotional concerns, such as coping with grief or stress.
-
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD experienced after traumatic events.
-
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment that is designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.
-
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy, specially adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely.
-
Yoga is a mind-body practice that focuses on your physical, emotional and mental health.
-
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) addresses the mental health needs of people suffering from the destructive effects of early trauma.
-
Motivational interviewing helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behavior.
Top Specialties:
Complex Trauma & PTSD
ADHD/AuDHD
Depression
Women’s Issues
Areas of Expertise:
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality (BPD)
Codependency
EMDR
Family Conflict
LGBTQ+ Identity Struggles
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Peer Relationships
Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
Relationship Issues
Self Esteem
Sex-Positive, Kink Allied
Stress
Interested in working together? Fill out the form below, call (630) 940-6828 or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We also offer a 15-minute free phone consultation.
“At Padera Therapy and Wellness, we believe that health is about paying attention to four major areas: emotional, bodily, spiritual, and intellectual health. We aim to help each client find fulfillment and healing in all four areas to achieve greater wellness, satisfaction, and balance.”
— Kristin Padera
Questions about insurance?
Give us a call or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We can often work with insurance companies if we are out-of-network. If we are an out-of-network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135.00 for a 53 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help! We work with families to come up with a number that works for you.