KATIE KAUFMAN

Hello, my name is Katie Kaufman and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Southern California and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I offer therapy and coaching services to young adults and adults and specialize in depression, anxiety, ADD & ADHD, stress, work/career, self-love, self-esteem, life purpose and meaning, life transitions, relationship issues, grief and loss, and more.

My approach

I utilize various treatment and therapeutic modalities depending on each client’s unique needs and preferences, and most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing as these modalities help me and the client build a shared understanding of their reality, and allow us to work together to chart a path forward. Other modalities I use include but are not limited to the following; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client/Person-Centered Therapy, Experiential Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Grief Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Vipassana Meditation, and Strength-based Therapy.

My focus

I have found that my style and approach are a good fit for young adults and adults who may be dealing with the challenges of life transitions and purpose, social pressures, school/work/career, and relationships. This often takes the form of anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD, and self-esteem issues. I work to help my clients navigate these transition periods and life challenges and to build a lifelong toolkit with skills to allow them to feel better about themselves and develop a more positive outlook on life.

My communication style

My communication style is warm, inviting, accepting, calm, accommodating, and personable. I want my clients to feel comfortable talking with me about anything, and I pride myself on my ability to listen without judgment, but rather with sincere compassion and understanding.

My journey to mental healthcare

I decided to become a therapist because of my own lived experience with depression and anxiety, and I have always wanted to help people in the ways that my therapists throughout my life have helped (and saved) me. After a minimally fulfilling career in corporate America, I decided to change career paths and pursue my life passion of helping people manage and conquer their mental health issues. Since age 10, I've volunteered in my community, schools, workplace, and in several other countries with the same mission of helping others not just live through life, but to grow, thrive, and enjoy it. I genuinely love being able to help others become the best versions of themselves and to equip people with a lifelong toolkit that can be used when life throws its inevitable curveballs, empowering each individual with effective coping skills and tools that work for them.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting with clients is all about working together to define what you want to accomplish in our time together. This often starts by building trust between us and getting comfortable with what it means to be in therapy. We will collaborate to set treatment goals and track your progress along the way.

My first session with you

What you can expect from our first session together is for us to spend the majority of our time talking about how you've been feeling and what types of life challenges you've been experiencing recently, and for me to ask questions to better understand some why you may be feeling that way and how this impacts you. The first session is about us building an initial connection and helping me get a sense of where we should go from there. Each person is different, and I believe it's very important to actively listen to and explore what it is that brings you to therapy, learn about your communication style and preferences, and get to know one another so we can build a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship.