Kathleen O'Connor, LICSW - Therapist in Massachusetts

About Kathleen

Kathleen O'Connor is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 25 years of hands-on experience. She focuses on practical support for issues such as addiction, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, parenting concerns, and grief. Kathleen aims to meet people where they are and help them move toward clearer goals in daily life.

Kathleen uses a direct, interactive style in sessions. She checks in often to make sure she understands what the client means and adjusts the conversation as needed.

Background and approach

Her work blends motivational interviewing, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy to give people tools they can use between sessions. Her background includes work in nursing homes, substance abuse treatment, criminal justice settings, dialysis clinics, psychiatric emergency rooms, and community-based care.

She completed a Specialized Mental Health Provider certificate during her MSW training, with a focus on severe mental illness and dual diagnosis. She has also held a chemical dependency counselor certification in Ohio. Kathleen has provided care in rural and urban areas, offered in-home therapy, and delivered telehealth by phone and video.

She believes therapy can be short term or longer term depending on the person and the goals they set together. Respect, sensitivity, and compassion guide her approach. She practices in Massachusetts and works to tailor plans to each person's needs.

If someone is ready to take a next step, Kathleen offers collaborative support and practical strategies to help them move forward.

Approaches and online care that fit your life

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening without judgment and helping people set their own goals; it is useful when someone needs acceptance and practical guidance for change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect and helps people try different behaviors to relieve anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and mood symptoms.

Kathleen treats finding the right approach as a joint process. She will work with the person to choose methods based on their goals, challenges, and preferences, and adjust the plan over time if needed. That collaborative decision making helps keep sessions relevant and practical.

Online therapy here is offered by licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit counseling into a busy schedule and to continue care when travel or life circumstances make in-person visits hard. The variety of formats lets people use real-time conversations or shorter written check-ins depending on what works best for them.

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 concerns does she address?

Kathleen supports people dealing with addictions, trauma, bipolar and mood disorders, depression, ADHD, anxiety, stress, relationship and family issues, grief, parenting, sleeping problems, anger, self esteem, career stress, compassion fatigue, and related concerns.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is interactive and collaborative with frequent check-ins to ensure understanding. She aims to empower people and tailors conversations to fit each person’s needs.

What is her professional background?

She has 25 years of direct service experience in settings such as nursing homes, substance abuse treatment, psychiatric emergency rooms, dialysis clinics, criminal justice settings, and community-based care.

What credentials and region are listed?

She holds an MA and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - LICSW, license number MA LICSW 121635, and practices in Massachusetts.

In which languages can sessions be held?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the United States work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats does she provide?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How does cost and getting started work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Bipolar disorder

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 25 years
Licensed: Massachusetts
Languages: English

Next step

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