Kathryn DeFiore

Kathryn DeFiore is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, anger, depression, and the effects of trauma and abuse. She acknowledges the courage it takes to reach out and aims to support people as they make changes and find more satisfying ways of living.

She approaches therapy with the view that each person knows their life best. Kathryn looks for practical strengths in a person's story and builds on what already works. Sessions focus on clear steps people can use between meetings to manage symptoms and handle difficult moments.

Her background includes five years of professional social work practice and licensure in both Connecticut and Virginia. That experience has included helping people process loss, address post-traumatic stress, and manage intense emotions like anger and shame.

Kathryn uses methods that teach concrete skills and encourage motivation for change. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Focused Therapy to guide sessions. These approaches are used to reduce unhelpful thoughts, build coping skills, and work through traumatic memories at a pace the client can handle.

Sessions emphasize collaboration and practical planning. Kathryn supports people as they set goals, try small experiments, and learn new ways to relate to themselves and others. She also assists with concerns related to caregiving stress, communication challenges, money worries, and feelings of isolation or loneliness.

Approaches That Guide Online Work

Many clients find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helpful for breaking unhelpful thought patterns and learning practical skills to reduce anxiety and low mood. CBT focuses on changing thought and behavior links and gives tools people can practice between sessions.

Motivational Interviewing is a gentle way to clarify what matters most and to build motivation for change. It helps people weigh options, strengthen commitment, and move toward goals at their own pace.

Trauma-Focused Therapy supports processing traumatic memories in a way that feels manageable. It emphasizes safety and pacing so people can work through painful experiences without becoming overwhelmed.

Finding the best approach is part of the work together. Kathryn will help figure out which methods match a person’s needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts plans as goals evolve. Clients and therapist collaborate on goals, homework, and pacing to make therapy useful and realistic.

The therapist's biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Different formats also let people choose what feels most manageable for their energy and daily routine.