Kathleen Barnes , LCSW

Kathleen Barnes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California. The MSW is a graduate degree in social work and the LCSW denotes a credential to provide clinical psychotherapy. With six years of clinical experience, she has supported diverse populations through a variety of therapeutic strategies and settings.

She works with people facing stress and anxiety, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, trauma and PTSD, addictions, grief, relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem struggles, and career-related stress. Her approach blends evidence-informed methods including Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, trauma-focused work such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, motivational techniques, and brief, solution-focused interventions. She also incorporates strengths-based and recovery-oriented perspectives to help people identify resources and build resilience.

Kathleen emphasizes practical skill-building for clearer communication, more effective self-expression, and improved coping. She aims to help clients gain clarity, increase their sense of agency, and develop tools they can use in day-to-day life. She provides services in English and accepts international clients for telehealth sessions.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Kathleen employs Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes a supportive, nonjudgmental relationship where the client’s priorities guide the work. This approach helps people feel heard and can be useful for relationship concerns, self-esteem issues, and life transitions.

She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is practical and skills-focused, and it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related difficulties. Additionally, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides concrete tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for intense emotions and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is collaborative - Kathleen works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and adapts methods accordingly. Clients and therapist explore what fits best and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with Kathleen is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules, geographic distance, or mobility limitations. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to practice new skills between sessions while fitting therapy into everyday life.