Therapist profile
Kathleen O'Connor, LICSW
LICSW - Addictions and family concerns
Continue with KathleenAbout
- Addictions
- Parenting support
- CBT and DBT methods
About Kathleen
Kathleen O'Connor is a Master’s-prepared clinician and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Massachusetts with 25 years of experience. She helps people manage addictions, trauma, mood disorders, anxiety, stress, and relationship and family concerns. She also supports parents and caregivers who are worn down by day-to-day responsibilities and life changes.
Her approach is interactive and straightforward. She checks in often during sessions to make sure she understands what the client is saying. Conversation and practical skill building are central. Kathleen uses motivational interviewing to find what matters to each person and mindfulness, CBT, and DBT tools to develop coping skills and reduce distress.
Her background includes work in nursing homes, substance abuse treatment, criminal justice settings, dialysis clinics, psychiatric emergency rooms, and community programs. She has experience providing in-home therapy and community-based crisis services. Her training included a Specialized Mental Health Provider certificate focused on severe mental illness and dual diagnosis.
Kathleen has provided telehealth by phone and video and has worked with people across a wide age range. She does not use stigmatizing labels and aims to treat people with respect and sensitivity. Sessions can be brief or longer term depending on the complexity of goals and the pace the person prefers.
Her style focuses on clear communication, practical strategies, and helping clients move toward the goals they set for themselves.
How sessions work
How Kathleen’s approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the client’s goals. It supports people who want an active listener who reflects back what matters to them and helps clarify personal aims.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful thinking and behavior. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and mood management by setting small practice steps and tracking progress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing intense emotions and improving distress tolerance. It helps when anger, relationship conflict, or overwhelming stress interfere with daily life.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kathleen will collaborate with each person to pick the methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That may mean combining mindfulness, CBT, DBT, or motivational interviewing over time and checking progress along the way.
Her biography records prior use of phone and video telehealth during the pandemic. Confirm current session formats before booking to know what is offered now. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time, which helps people keep therapy consistent while managing home and work demands.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with addictions, trauma, bipolar and mood disorders, depression, anxiety, stress, relationship and family issues, parenting strain, grief, and related concerns.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is interactive with frequent check-ins. Sessions combine conversation with practical skills from motivational interviewing, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings including nursing homes, substance abuse treatment, psychiatric emergency rooms, and community programs.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds an MA and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) licensed in Massachusetts.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography notes she has provided telehealth by phone and video. Confirm current session options before booking to know what is offered now.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.