PuttingFamilyFirst

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AM Portrait of Athena McCaman
Online therapist

Athena McCaman

Practical, client-centered therapy for parents and adults

Credentials
LISW
Experience
12 years
Licensed in
Ohio
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Athena

Athena McCaman is a licensed independent social worker (LISW) who uses a client-centered approach to help people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and depression. She writes plainly and listens closely so parents and individuals feel heard from the first session. Athena builds practical goals and focuses on skills people can use between meetings.

With 12 years of experience, she draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Background and approach

She also uses elements of dialectical behavior therapy to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance. For clients with trauma, she brings trauma-informed methods including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing when appropriate. Athena has worked with people facing family and parenting challenges, relationship strain, and issues tied to substance use.

She helps clients address anger, self-esteem, and problems such as codependency, communication breakdowns, and isolation. Athena also supports those coping with major life changes like divorce or grief. Her style is straightforward and respectful.

She encourages small steps, practice of new skills, and regular check-ins on progress. Many clients find this mix of hands-on strategies and steady listening useful when stress feels overwhelming. Sessions are offered in English and take place online for people in Ohio.

Athena explains interventions clearly and helps each person choose approaches that fit their needs and values.

How Athena blends approaches for online care

Athena often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. CBT is practical and goal-oriented, with exercises people can try between sessions.

She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy for teaching emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and healthier interpersonal skills. DBT strategies can help when strong emotions, impulsivity, or relationship conflicts make day-to-day life harder.

Finding the right approach is part of the work, and Athena treats it as a team effort. She will listen to each person's goals and preferences, explain options in plain language, and adapt methods based on what seems to help. This collaborative process aims to match techniques to real-life needs.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to allow for flexibility. These formats make it easier to fit sessions around parenting demands, work, and other commitments. Athena uses these tools to keep therapy consistent, help people practice new skills, and follow progress over time.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Athena address?
Athena helps people with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, coping with life changes, LGBT concerns, relationship and family issues, parenting, anger, self esteem, and ADHD. She also addresses related problems like codependency, communication issues, and isolation.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is client-centered, focusing on respect and listening first. She pairs that with practical methods such as CBT and DBT skills to teach coping strategies and behavior change.
How much experience does this therapist have?
She has 12 years of professional experience working with individuals and groups on a wide range of mental health and addiction concerns.
Where is Athena licensed and based?
She holds the LISW credential and practices in Ohio. The license detail is OH LISW I.2102916-SUPV.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are offered?
Sessions can be done by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Athena?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Next step

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