Kathleen Cooley, LMSW - Therapist in Michigan

About Kathleen

Kathleen Cooley is a licensed master social worker with four decades of experience in social work. She keeps things straightforward and calm so parents can feel heard. She encourages people to share their concerns at their own pace and values clear, respectful conversation.

Her approach is practical and flexible. She leans on cognitive behavioral techniques to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different ways of responding. She also uses attachment-based ideas to understand how early relationships affect patterns today and trauma-focused methods when past hurts interfere with daily life.

Background and approach

Kathleen has worked across many settings, including schools and college environments, and with a wide range of needs from severe mental illness to adjustment difficulties. She has specific experience supporting people coping with grief, loss, trauma, sexual abuse, suicidality, selective mutism, and mood concerns like depression and bipolar challenges.

Sessions are usually conducted with an emphasis on seeing one another, and she prefers video meetings while also offering phone, chat, and text options. Her style is warm and direct, aiming to help parents handle stress, parenting challenges, and family concerns step by step. She uses the credential LMSW, which stands for Licensed Master Social Worker.

Kathleen is based in Michigan and brings practical tools along with a respectful listening stance. Her goal is to help people find manageable ways forward.

How Kathleen’s Approaches Fit Online Therapy

Attachment-based work looks at how early relationships shape current patterns. Online sessions let a therapist notice how a parent talks about caregiving and help build different ways of connecting. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and trying new behaviors. In a video session this becomes practical work - identifying one thought, testing it, and practicing a new response in real time.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will listen to goals and try methods that make sense for the situation. If trauma is part of the history, trauma-focused techniques can be added and adjusted as needed in collaboration with the client.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls are preferred so people can see each other, but phone, live chat, and text messaging are also available to fit busy family schedules. These options make it easier to keep appointments around school, work, and caregiving responsibilities while still doing hands-on work like practicing new skills and reflecting on patterns.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

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 concerns does she help with?

She supports a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting and family challenges, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with life changes.

What is her overall therapy style?

Her style is practical and straightforward. She listens closely and uses techniques that help people change thoughts and behaviors while also attending to how relationships shape feelings.

What is her background and experience?

She has 40 years of experience in social work across schools, college settings, and clinical environments, working with people from severe mental illness to adjustment difficulties.

What credentials and location apply?

She holds the LMSW credential and is licensed in Michigan with license number MI LMSW 6801033979.

Which languages and international options are available?

Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients.

What session formats are offered?

Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, with a preference for video so clients can see each other.

How are sessions paid for?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 40 years
Licensed: Michigan
Languages: English

Next step

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