Cathy Bottrell, LICSW, LCSW - Therapist in District of Columbia

About Cathy

Cathy Bottrell uses practical, evidence-informed approaches to help people facing major life changes. She is a licensed clinical social worker - LICSW and LCSW - with 23 years of experience. Cathy offers straightforward, compassionate support for stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addiction, parenting concerns, and related worries.

Her style is down-to-earth and focused on what matters most to each person. She helps people sort through painful experiences, learn new coping skills, and make choices that match their values.

Background and approach

Sessions are paced to each person's needs, with time to talk and to practice tools between visits. Cathy has worked with adults and teens on issues such as adjustment to illness, adoption and foster care questions, and the emotional fallout from loss. She also addresses relationship and intimacy concerns, career stress, compassion fatigue, and attention-related challenges.

She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered therapy, and mindfulness practices to tailor care. That means clients can expect a mix of steady listening, practical skill-building, and mindful awareness exercises. Based in the District of Columbia, Cathy provides online options including video, phone, chat, and text-based messaging.

Sessions use a subscription format that can be canceled at any time, and payments vary with location and therapist availability. If someone wants to begin, they can select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choose actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and practicing concrete steps to change them, which can help with worry, low mood, sleep problems, and coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a supportive, nonjudgmental relationship where the person leads the pace and topics, and the therapist provides empathy and reflective listening to help people understand their own goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Cathy will collaborate with each person to pick methods that fit their goals, preferences, and daily life. That collaborative process means trying practical tools, checking what helps, and adjusting course together.

Online sessions are available via video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit busy schedules and different comfort levels. These options make it easier to meet from home, balance parenting and work demands, and use short check-ins or longer talks as needed. The mix of approaches and flexible formats aims to make consistent care more doable for people facing transitions and stress.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Cathy address?

She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, self-esteem, parenting concerns, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and related areas listed in her profile.

What is her overall therapy style?

Her approach combines listening with practical skills. Cathy mixes acceptance, mindfulness, and cognitive techniques to help people cope and make changes.

How much experience does she have?

Cathy has 23 years of experience as a clinical social worker and therapist, working with teens and adults on grief, adjustment to illness, adoption questions, and other life changes.

Where is Cathy licensed to practice?

She holds credentials as a LICSW and LCSW with DC LICSW LC3000734 and VA LCSW 0904005185 and practices from the District of Columbia.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the United States work with her?

International clients are not accepted; sessions are arranged for clients within the permitted regions.

What formats are available for sessions?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different needs.

How are costs and scheduling handled?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, choose Start Therapy, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 23 years
Licensed: Virginia, District of Columbia
Languages: English

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