Profile / United States
Kathleen O'Connor, LICSW
Massachusetts
LICSW - Mood and addiction support
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness and DBT skills
- Motivational interviewing
About Kathleen
Kathleen O'Connor is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts with 25 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, addictions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, grief, stress, relationship and family concerns, sleep trouble, parenting strain, and career or life transitions.
Her style is interactive and practical. She checks in often during sessions to make sure people feel heard and that the plan fits their goals. Sessions focus on clear steps, behavior changes, and skills people can try between meetings.
She blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with client-centered methods, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. That mix is used to address mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, self-esteem, and coping after loss or life change. Kathleen also has experience with adoption and foster care issues, caregiver stress, first responder and veteran concerns, and substance use problems.
Her background includes work across many settings: nursing homes, substance abuse treatment, criminal justice, dialysis clinics, psychiatric emergency rooms, in-home therapy, and community crisis services. She has provided phone and video telehealth during the pandemic and has practiced in urban and rural areas.
Kathleen earned a Master of Social Work and completed a Specialized Mental Health Provider certificate during her MSW work focused on severe mental illness and dual diagnosis. She was previously licensed in Indiana and Ohio and formerly held a chemical dependency counselor certification in Ohio.
How Kathleen uses CBT, DBT and client-centered work online
Kathleen frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT breaks problems into clear parts so people can try different responses and measure what helps, which is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep, and mood concerns.She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotional regulation and distress-tolerance techniques. DBT-style skills help when emotions feel overwhelming or when relationships and anger are a central problem. Client-centered work shapes the conversation around the person’s priorities and lived experience, making it practical and goal-focused.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Kathleen will work with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences and will adjust the plan as needed. This means trying tools, reviewing what works, and changing course when something isn’t helpful.
Confirm current session options before booking, since formats were not fully specified. The biography records past use of phone and video telehealth during the pandemic, so ask which formats are offered now. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so sessions can occur from different locations.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Massachusetts
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She helps people with depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, addictions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, grief, sleep problems, anger, and stress related to work or caregiving.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?
Her approach is interactive and practical, with frequent check-ins to keep communication clear. Sessions emphasize skills, behavior changes, and steps to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of direct-service experience across settings such as nursing homes, substance use treatment, emergency psychiatric care, and community crisis work.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds an MA and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Massachusetts.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography notes past use of phone and video telehealth during the pandemic; confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees and payment handled?
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 your 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 you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.