PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

KM Portrait of Kelley Machado
Online therapist

Kelley Machado

Compassionate support for families and parents

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
20 years
Licensed in
Connecticut, Maine
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Kelley

Kelley Machado is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with two decades of experience supporting families and parents facing difficult moments. She helps people cope with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addiction, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting challenges, self-esteem issues, and trauma. Kelley works with individuals, couples, and families to strengthen relationships and improve daily functioning.

Kelley’s background includes work in mental health, the criminal justice system, and medical social work. That variety shaped her understanding of how life transitions affect emotions and behavior.

Background and approach

She has supported people through losses, new beginnings, separations, medical concerns, and other major changes. In sessions she starts by getting to know each person and family. She tailors the approach rather than using a single method for everyone.

Kelley draws on practical, evidence-based techniques to build skills and manage distress. Her training includes cognitive behavioral methods, attachment ideas, developmental perspectives, trauma theory, and dialectical behavioral strategies. In plain terms these approaches help people change unhelpful thoughts, understand relationship patterns, work through past hurts, and build practical coping skills.

Kelley speaks English and is based in Connecticut. She has experience with many cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and is open to working with international clients via online formats. She invites families and parents to take the first step toward clearer coping and healthier relationships.

Approaches that fit family life and online care

Many of Kelley’s methods are practical and skill-focused. Cognitive behavioral techniques look at thoughts and behaviors and teach concrete tools to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and handle parenting stress. Dialectical behavioral strategies focus on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication, which can help in tense relationship moments and parenting challenges.

She also uses attachment-informed and developmental ideas to help families see how patterns formed and how they affect current relationships. Trauma-informed perspectives guide work with past hurts so families can build safer interactions and better boundaries. Kelley discusses these approaches with each family and decides together which methods fit their goals and comfort level.

Online therapy offers flexibility for busy parents and families. Video calls let people talk face-to-face from home, phone sessions remove travel time, and live chat or text messaging can provide brief check-ins or support between full sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while juggling school, work, and family schedules.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Kelley commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, LGBT issues, relationships, family challenges, intimacy issues, parenting, self esteem, and bipolar concerns.
How would you describe her style in sessions?
Kelley takes a practical, down-to-earth approach and tailors care to each family or individual. She focuses on building coping skills and clarifying relationship patterns.
What kind of experience does she bring?
Kelley has 20 years of experience working across mental health, criminal justice, and medical social work settings, which informs her work with families and parents.
What credentials and region are listed for this therapist?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with licenses listed as ME LCSW LC19977 and CT LCSW 005332, and she practices from Connecticut.
Can sessions be conducted in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different family needs.
How are fees handled for therapy?
Cost varies with location and therapist factors; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How does someone begin working with Kelley?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Also works with

Experience
20 years
Licensed
Connecticut, Maine
Languages
English

Next step

Talk to Kelley

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point