PuttingFamilyFirst

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CK Portrait of Cathryn Kirtley
Online therapist

Cathryn Kirtley

Calm, practical support for family and parenting challenges

Credentials
LMFT
Experience
5 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Cathryn

Cathryn Kirtley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who practices in California and has five years of professional experience. She focuses on common concerns parents face such as stress, anxiety, family tensions, and parenting challenges. Her manner is direct and warm, and she aims to make a first conversation feel manageable for someone who is worried or uncertain.

In sessions she creates an open space for people to talk without judgment.

Background and approach

Conversations are practical and down-to-earth. Clients can expect clear discussion about what feels hard and small steps to try between meetings. Cathryn draws on evidence-based techniques to help with self esteem, coping with life changes, and building more reliable communication in relationships.

She also addresses attachment concerns, social anxiety, workplace stress, and money or financial worries when they come up. She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. All work is done in English and she does not take international clients.

To begin, a short matching questionnaire is completed and sessions are scheduled according to availability. Fees vary by location and the service uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

Practical approaches for online family and parenting support

Two common evidence-based approaches she uses are cognitive-behavioral techniques and skills-based coaching. Cognitive-behavioral techniques look at unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and break them down into manageable steps to reduce anxiety and improve confidence. Skills-based coaching focuses on communication, problem solving, and parenting strategies that can be practiced between sessions to build new routines.

A collaborative approach guides the work. The therapist will help the client identify priorities, try different techniques, and adjust the plan based on what feels most helpful. Finding the right approach is part of the process and decisions are made together, taking into account goals and daily constraints.

Online therapy offers flexibility for busy family schedules. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation from home, phone sessions work when video isn't possible, and live chat or text sessions provide short check-ins or ongoing support between meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy into parenting life and to keep progress moving forward even when routines are unpredictable.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?
Cathryn helps people manage stress, anxiety, family conflict, parenting concerns, and self esteem struggles. She also addresses life changes, communication problems, attachment issues, and workplace or money-related stress.
What is her general style in therapy?
She keeps conversations direct and compassionate, offering practical suggestions and short experiments to try between sessions. The aim is to make change feel doable rather than overwhelming.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years of professional experience working as a licensed therapist in California.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CA LMFT 143851, and practices in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How does billing and cost work?
Costs vary by location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Experience
5 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

Next step

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