Kathleen O'Connor, LICSW
LICSW specializing in trauma and addictions
- 25 years experience
- Trauma and addictions
- Telehealth via multiple formats
About Kathleen O'Connor
Kathleen O'Connor, LICSW, is a master's-prepared clinical social worker with more than 25 years of direct-service experience across a wide range of clinical and community settings. She earned a Master of Social Work and completed a specialized certificate as a Specialized Mental Health Provider, a training focused on working with people who are severely mentally ill and those with co-occurring diagnoses. Kathleen is licensed in Massachusetts as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - LICSW, and she has previously held licenses in Indiana and Ohio as well as certification as a Chemical Dependency Counselor in Ohio.
Kathleen's clinical background spans work with clients from ages 3 to 102 and includes roles such as Social Services Director in a 114-bed nursing home, and provider in substance use treatment programs, criminal justice settings, dialysis clinics, psychiatric emergency rooms, in-home therapy, and community-based crisis services. She has practiced in both rural and urban environments and has delivered care in person and via phone and video when circumstances required.
Her therapeutic approach is interactive and client-focused, combining motivational interviewing, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma-informed methods as appropriate to each person's needs. Kathleen emphasizes meeting clients where they are, maintaining regular check-ins to ensure clear communication, and collaborating to create individualized treatment plans without stigmatizing labels. She frames counseling as a partnership that can be brief or extend over time depending on the complexity of the goals and the client's preferences.
Kathleen values respect, sensitivity, and compassion in clinical work, and she is committed to supporting clients as they pursue clearer direction and greater well-being. Prospective clients who are ready to take the next step can expect an engaged, goal-oriented clinician who seeks to tailor care to each person's unique circumstances.
Kathleen's clinical background spans work with clients from ages 3 to 102 and includes roles such as Social Services Director in a 114-bed nursing home, and provider in substance use treatment programs, criminal justice settings, dialysis clinics, psychiatric emergency rooms, in-home therapy, and community-based crisis services. She has practiced in both rural and urban environments and has delivered care in person and via phone and video when circumstances required.
Her therapeutic approach is interactive and client-focused, combining motivational interviewing, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma-informed methods as appropriate to each person's needs. Kathleen emphasizes meeting clients where they are, maintaining regular check-ins to ensure clear communication, and collaborating to create individualized treatment plans without stigmatizing labels. She frames counseling as a partnership that can be brief or extend over time depending on the complexity of the goals and the client's preferences.
Kathleen values respect, sensitivity, and compassion in clinical work, and she is committed to supporting clients as they pursue clearer direction and greater well-being. Prospective clients who are ready to take the next step can expect an engaged, goal-oriented clinician who seeks to tailor care to each person's unique circumstances.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Adoption and foster careCaregiver issues and stressDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-love
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Kathleen O'Connor have?
Kathleen O'Connor has 25 years of experience.
Is Kathleen O'Connor a licensed therapist?
Yes. Kathleen O'Connor holds the LICSW credential - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. She is licensed in Massachusetts as MA LICSW 121635.
In which languages does Kathleen O'Connor provide therapy?
Therapy is provided in English.
Where is Kathleen O'Connor located?
Kathleen O'Connor is located in Massachusetts.
How can I work with Kathleen O'Connor as my therapist?
Clients can work with Kathleen O'Connor through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Kathleen O'Connor work with international clients?
Kathleen O'Connor does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Kathleen O'Connor cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with a therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule a first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches Delivered Through Online Care
Kathleen O'Connor integrates evidence-informed methods into online work, adapting techniques to meet each client's goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns - it is useful for depression, anxiety, sleep issues, and coping with life changes. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, focuses on building skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness - it supports people managing intense emotions, relationship challenges, and self-regulation difficulties. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented method that helps people explore ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change - it is often used with substance use concerns and other behavior changes.Kathleen approaches choice of method as a collaborative process. She works with clients to determine which approaches fit their needs, preferences, and goals, adjusting strategies over time as progress is assessed. The therapeutic plan is shaped together so that techniques align with what the client finds most helpful.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to access licensed professionals from home, work, or while traveling. These options make scheduling easier and can increase consistency of care, while retaining the ability to use structured exercises, skills practice, and reflective dialogue that are central to CBT, DBT, and motivational approaches.