Kathleen Kaufman , LCSW

Kathleen Kaufman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Illinois with 24 years of professional experience. As an LCSW she provides psychotherapy and clinical social work services, drawing on decades of work with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, and parenting concerns.

She works with both women and men, approaching each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Kathleen tailors conversations and treatment plans to the individual needs of each client, emphasizing practical problem-solving and support aimed at reaching clear goals. Her style balances empathy with actionable steps so clients can make measurable progress in areas that matter to them.

Kathleen recognizes that beginning therapy takes courage and honors that first step. She partners with clients to create a plan that fits their situation and priorities, offering steady guidance for navigating life changes, improving relationships, managing emotions, and strengthening coping skills.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Kathleen Kaufman uses evidence-informed approaches to guide online therapy in ways that fit each person's needs. Attachment-based therapy explores how early relationships shape current patterns - it helps people who struggle with trust, intimacy, abandonment, or recurring relationship conflicts understand and reshape those dynamics. Client-centered therapy focuses on the individual's experience, offering a respectful, nonjudgmental environment where the client leads the pace of change and feels heard as they work through life challenges.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, often called DBT, teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions, reducing impulsive behaviors, and improving interpersonal effectiveness - it can be especially helpful for clients who need structure and practical tools during high-stress moments. Kathleen blends these approaches to match each client's goals and preferences, and she collaborates with clients to identify the best fit rather than prescribing a single method.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for varied schedules and needs. These formats allow clients to access licensed professionals from familiar settings, making it easier to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, and other commitments.