Kathrina Cauckwell-Rafferty , LCSW

Kathrina Cauckwell-Rafferty is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California who brings a decade of clinical experience to her work. Her recent focus has been on substance use disorders, where she has helped people build practical coping skills, process past traumas, repair important relationships, and identify reliable sources of support. She has also provided therapy in specialty programs serving youth and families, as well as survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Kathrina approaches care with an emphasis on a non-judgmental, supportive environment and collaborates with each client to develop individualized goals and treatment plans. Her clinical background includes helping clients address a wide range of concerns such as addiction, family and parenting challenges, stress and anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and grief, depression, anger, and self-esteem struggles. She also works with clients on topics like adoption and foster care, blended family dynamics, codependency, workplace issues, and multicultural concerns.

Kathrina offers multiple communication options including video sessions, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. She checks messages twice daily, seven days a week, and maintains a calendar reflecting her standard availability while sometimes accommodating additional scheduling requests.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Kathrina uses client-centered therapy to create a collaborative space where the client’s values, preferences, and goals guide the work. This approach focuses on listening and supporting the person as they identify their own solutions and build self-directed coping strategies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is used to teach practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and tolerating distress - useful for clients facing chronic stress, relationship conflicts, or strong emotional reactions. Motivational Interviewing helps clients resolve ambivalence and find internal motivation for change, which is especially relevant in addressing substance use and other behavior changes.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Kathrina works with each client to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts techniques over time as progress is made. This collaborative stance helps ensure treatment feels relevant and achievable.

Online therapy with Kathrina includes options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for varying schedules and needs. These modalities make it easier to access consistent support without long commutes, allowing clients to engage in therapy from locations that suit them while maintaining regular contact with a licensed professional.