About Kathleen
Kathleen Kaufman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with more than two decades of experience. She helps people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, trauma, parenting pressures, grief, and changes in life. Kathleen focuses on practical steps and steady support so people can move toward clearer goals.
She values respect, sensitivity, and compassion in every conversation. Sessions are tailored to each person's needs.
How Kathleen works
Kathleen listens carefully, then works with clients to build a plan that feels doable. The work often centers on problem-solving and skill building rather than long theory talks. Her approach draws on attachment-based ideas to notice patterns in relationships and on client-centered methods that prioritize the client's perspective.
She also uses dialectical behavior therapy skills for emotion regulation and mindfulness practices to help people stay grounded. Motivational interviewing is used when people want to make life changes and need help finding their own reasons to act. Over 24 years in the field has included many settings and a range of concerns.
That experience helps her adapt interventions to different personalities and goals. She explains options plainly and checks in about how the work is going. People work with Kathleen when they need someone who is direct, calm, and practical.
She aims to create sessions that leave clients with one or two clear next steps. Starting therapy is often the hardest part, and she meets that first step with encouragement and clear guidance.
Kathleen lists 8 ways of working on the entry:
What Kathleen works with
The areas below are the ones Kathleen selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
Also listed
- Abandonment
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coaching
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Emptiness
- Family conflicts
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Mood disorders
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 24 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Illinois |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Approaches that translate to online care
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in how people relate to others. Online sessions can help identify those patterns and practice new ways of connecting and setting boundaries. Client-Centered Therapy centers on the person's own experience and goals; the therapist follows the client's lead and offers reflection and support to build insight and confidence. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches concrete skills for managing strong emotions, handling conflict, and tolerating distress - skills that can be practiced and coached during remote sessions.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kathleen will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She checks in regularly and adjusts the plan if something isn’t working, so therapy stays practical and focused on progress.
Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction and visual cues, while phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging let people send notes between sessions or hold brief conversations without scheduling a full call. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to keep momentum between meetings.
Start online instead of waiting
Our partner service asks a few questions about what you are looking for and matches you with a therapist for sessions from home.
Book with KathleenWe will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.
Common questions
What concerns does she help with?
What is her therapeutic style like?
How much clinical experience does she have?
What credentials and location apply?
Which languages are supported and can international clients join?
What formats are available for sessions?
How does cost and payment work?
How do I begin therapy with her?
A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you. Entries are not assessed or endorsed by this directory.
Other entries for stress, anxiety
Supportive LCSW helping people build strength and clarity
Practical, trauma-aware therapy for everyday life
Practical, relational therapy for life transitions