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LICSW

Kathleen O'Connor, LICSW

  • Experience25 years
  • LocationMassachusetts
  • Focus areasADHD, Addictions, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesClient-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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About Kathleen

Kathleen O'Connor is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 25 years of hands-on experience helping people work through a wide range of life challenges.

Background and approach

She supports concerns such as addictions, trauma and abuse, mood disorders including bipolar and depression, anxiety and stress, ADHD, grief and relationship issues, as well as difficulties with sleep, intimacy, parenting, anger, self-esteem, career transitions, and compassion fatigue.

Her additional focus areas include adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, substance use concerns, family of origin problems, first responder and veteran issues, post-traumatic stress, and seasonal affective disorder. Her approach blends client-centered engagement with evidence-based techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing.

Kathleen emphasizes meeting each person where they are, collaborating on goals, and tailoring treatment to individual needs rather than relying on labels. She brings experience from diverse settings - nursing homes, substance abuse treatment, criminal justice, dialysis clinics, psychiatric emergency rooms, community and in-home work - and has provided telehealth services by phone and video during the pandemic.

Kathleen practices in Massachusetts as LICSW MA 121635 and offers an interactive, respectful style focused on empowerment and practical progress.

Approaches and Flexibility for Online Therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on understanding each person's experience without judgment and creating a collaborative path toward goals; it helps people feel heard and supported as they explore change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and many everyday challenges. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for managing intense emotions and improving relationships.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the work together rather than a one-time decision. The therapist will collaborate with clients to determine which combination of methods fits their needs, goals, and preferences, and will adapt interventions over time based on progress and feedback.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different lifestyles and schedules. These formats allow for consistent access to licensed professionals, support sessions from home or other convenient locations, and a range of communication styles to suit comfort and practical needs.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?
She works with a broad array of issues including addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, anxiety and stress, relationship and family problems, grief, sleep and intimacy difficulties, parenting and career concerns, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
The style is interactive and client-centered, with frequent check-ins to ensure mutual understanding. Treatment commonly integrates CBT, DBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused elements tailored to each person's needs.
What background and experience does the therapist have?
She holds a master's degree and has 25 years of direct service experience across settings such as nursing homes, substance abuse treatment, criminal justice, dialysis clinics, psychiatric emergency rooms, and community-based care.
Where is the therapist located and what are her credentials?
She is licensed in Massachusetts as an LICSW with credential MA LICSW 121635 and practices from that state.
Can I work with this therapist if I live outside the United States?
She does not accept international clients at this time; services are provided to clients within the therapist's accepted regions.
What session formats are available for online work?
Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees and payment structured?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in getting started?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a time based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepressionADHD

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careCaregiver issues and stressDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-love

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Massachusetts

Languages

English

What Kathleen can help with

Kathleen O'Connor works with clients on addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, and ADHD.

Kathleen works with the severely mentally ill and the dually diagnosed.

Kathleen works with clients ages 3 to 102.

Kathleen has worked with folks in a variety of settings including but not limited to substance abuse treatment, criminal justice settings, dialysis clinics, psychiatric emergency rooms, and in the community.

How Kathleen approaches therapy

Kathleen's clinical approaches include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Kathleen is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker practicing in Massachusetts, with 25 years of clinical experience.