Kathleen Kaufman, LCSW
Compassionate therapist who focuses on practical change
Details
| Name | Kathleen Kaufman |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | Illinois |
| Licensed in | Illinois |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 24 |
About Kathleen
Kathleen Kaufman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 24 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, trauma, parenting challenges, and grief. Her style is warm and respectful, and she works with both women and men.
Kathleen keeps conversations practical and focused on what a person needs right now. She listens to life stories and helps people find clearer ways to cope.
Background and approach
Sessions aim for small, achievable steps rather than distant goals. Her approach blends narrative work with attention to attachment and the present relationship patterns that shape behavior. She also uses client-centered methods to follow each person’s pace.
Mindfulness and skills from dialectical behavior therapy are used when helpful for emotion regulation and stress management. Kathleen tailors every plan to an individual’s situation. She pays attention to family history, communication habits, and patterns like codependency or abandonment worries.
She also supports people dealing with ADHD, caregiver strain, and career stress. People can expect a collaborative process that combines listening, practical problem solving, and new ways to tell their story. Kathleen emphasizes small changes that add up to better coping and clearer choices about relationships and work.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse among the things Kathleen works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Kathleen directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Kathleen directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and attachment work online
Kathleen blends Narrative Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, and client-centered practices to help people tell their story differently and shift relationship patterns. Narrative Therapy looks at the stories people tell about themselves and finds new ways to frame challenges so they feel less fixed. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationship patterns affect current reactions and connections. Client-centered work means the therapist follows the person’s lead and adapts to their pace and needs.Choosing the right approach is part of therapy. Kathleen treats this as a shared process where goals, preferences, and day-to-day life shape what methods are used. She discusses options together and adjusts strategies as progress and needs change.
Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Video calls are useful for face-to-face conversation and reading nonverbal cues. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is low or people prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging allow shorter check-ins, quick coping reminders, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options offer flexibility to keep work moving forward while balancing other responsibilities.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Kathleen address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, grief, anger, self-esteem, career issues, bipolar concerns, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is respectful and practical. She listens to a person’s story and focuses on actionable steps and problem solving.
What is her professional background?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 24 years of professional experience helping people with a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She holds an Illinois LCSW license and practices with clients in Illinois.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Kathleen are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Kathleen where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
Or see other therapists in Illinois »
This is a partner link. We will earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no cost to you. It does not change what you pay or the order of the listings.
Other listings in Illinois
- Debbie Hayes, LCPC - Illinois
- Dr. Latrice Maric, LCPC - Illinois
- Natalie Eden, LCPC, LPC - Illinois
- Thérèse Fletcher, LCSW - Illinois
- All therapists for stress, anxiety »