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Kalene McSwain-Faulkner, LCSW, CSW

Therapist in Tennessee

Focused help for life’s difficult moments

Continue with Kalene

Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.

Kalene McSwain-Faulkner

Profile checklist

  • CredentialsLCSW, CSW
  • Licenses listedLCSW, Georgia (no. CSW006322); LCSW, Tennessee (no. LSW0000007322)
  • NPI number1255757951
  • Experience9 years listed
  • LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
  • Main areas of focusStress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Self esteem
  • Approaches includeAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • FormatOnline sessions through BetterHelp

Details as listed on the therapist’s BetterHelp profile.

  • Strengths based
  • Goal oriented
  • Spanish available

About Kalene

Kalene McSwain-Faulkner, LCSW, CSW, helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, and relationship concerns. She speaks English and Spanish and brings nine years of social work experience to her practice. Kalene draws on practical strategies and a strengths-based attitude to help people make steady change.

She describes therapy as a process that takes time and regular effort. Kalene emphasizes that clients already have strengths and resources; her role is to help align those strengths toward clearer goals. She uses a mix of approaches rather than a single formula, adapting methods to each person’s needs.

Her background includes military service and a long social work career that began in 2013, with clinical licensure since 2015. She is also a doctorate student who completed coursework with a 4.0 and is in the research phase. That combination of lived experience, education, and ongoing study shapes how she practices.

In sessions Kalene often listens first, reflects what she hears, and then collaborates on practical steps. She blends cognitive behavioral ideas, mindfulness, narrative techniques, motivational coaching, and attachment-informed work to address issues like trauma, parenting strain, and compassion fatigue. She encourages direct feedback so therapy stays relevant and useful.

People who prefer a motivated, positive, and goal-oriented partner may find her style a good fit. She asks for active participation and honesty, and frames progress as gradual alignment rather than instant fixes.

How therapy approaches shape online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to notice unhelpful thoughts and focus on values-based actions; it can help with anxiety, avoidance, and motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect and uses practical exercises to change patterns that feed depression or stress. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relationship patterns and how early bonds affect current connections, which can help with trust, communication, and attachment concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kalene will listen to your story and collaborate on which methods match your goals and preferences. She adjusts strategies as progress is made, inviting feedback so sessions remain useful and relevant.

Confirm current session options before booking to learn which online formats are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, and offering more flexibility around work or caregiving duties. Licensed professionals can still use the same ACT, CBT, and attachment ideas effectively through conversation and guided exercises, helping you practice new skills between meetings.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSelf-loveTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

9+ years

Credentials

Georgia, Tennessee

Languages

English, Spanish

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Kalene address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, and related issues such as codependency and attachment difficulties.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Kalene uses a practical, strengths-focused style that blends coaching with talk therapy. Sessions typically involve listening, clarifying goals, and trying concrete strategies together.

What background and experience does she bring?

She has nine years of social work experience, military service, and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2015; she is also a doctorate student who has finished coursework and is in the research phase.

Where is she licensed and based?

Kalene holds LCSW credentials in Tennessee and Georgia and practices out of Tennessee.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

Confirm current session options before booking to learn which formats are offered for appointments.

How does cost and billing work?

Session cost varies with location and therapist availability, and services use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

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

Kalene McSwain-FaulknerContinue with Kalene