Kathy Rubendall, LCSW
Experienced North Carolina LCSW for lasting change
- 30 years experience
- Client-centered approach
- CBT and DBT techniques
About Kathy Rubendall
Kathy Rubendall is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in North Carolina with over 30 years of experience supporting people through a wide range of emotional and life challenges. She brings decades of practice working with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, bipolar disorder, trauma and abuse, and eating and sleeping concerns, as well as relationship, family, and self-esteem issues. Her work also extends to specialized areas such as adoption and foster care, attachment concerns related to international adoption, caregiver and geriatric issues, chronic illness and pain, and substance use disorders.
Known for a warm and interactive counseling style, Kathy centers care on respect, acceptance, and compassion. Her clinical approach is client-centered, combining evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work to help people identify goals, develop coping skills, and solve practical problems. She has experience supporting those facing career transitions, bariatric surgery preparation and recovery, anxiety related to sports performance, and challenges stemming from military service.
Kathy frames the therapeutic relationship as collaborative and goal-oriented, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs and preferences. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina, she aims to create a supportive environment where people can explore change, build resilience, and move toward meaningful improvements in daily life.
Known for a warm and interactive counseling style, Kathy centers care on respect, acceptance, and compassion. Her clinical approach is client-centered, combining evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work to help people identify goals, develop coping skills, and solve practical problems. She has experience supporting those facing career transitions, bariatric surgery preparation and recovery, anxiety related to sports performance, and challenges stemming from military service.
Kathy frames the therapeutic relationship as collaborative and goal-oriented, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs and preferences. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina, she aims to create a supportive environment where people can explore change, build resilience, and move toward meaningful improvements in daily life.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseEating disordersSleeping disordersSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Drug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersParanoiaPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Smoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Kathy Rubendall have?
Kathy Rubendall has 30 years of experience.
Is Kathy Rubendall a licensed therapist?
Yes, she holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: NC LCSW C001832.
In which languages does Kathy Rubendall provide therapy?
Therapy is provided in English.
Where is Kathy Rubendall located?
She is located in North Carolina.
How can I work with Kathy Rubendall as my therapist?
You can work with Kathy Rubendall through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Kathy Rubendall work with international clients?
Kathy Rubendall does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Kathy Rubendall cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your 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 with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Kathy Rubendall blends client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to guide online work in a way that respects each person’s strengths and priorities. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and collaboration so the person feels heard and supported while discovering their own solutions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thinking patterns and teaches practical skills to manage symptoms like anxiety or depression.She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills when emotional regulation, distress tolerance, or relationship patterns are central concerns. DBT offers clear, skills-based strategies for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness.
Finding the right therapeutic approach is treated as a collaborative process. Kathy and each client work together to select and adapt methods based on the client’s goals, preferences, and life circumstances, with flexibility to shift focus as needs evolve.
Online therapy sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text messaging, making it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, manage mobility or caregiving demands, and maintain continuity of care across life transitions. Licensed professionals can use these formats to deliver the same core therapeutic work as in-person sessions while offering greater convenience and accessibility.