About Kathy
Kathy Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in North Dakota, with 40 years of professional experience. She works with adults dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, compassion fatigue, and life changes. Kathy also addresses concerns such as caregiver strain, chronic illness and pain, family of origin issues, guilt and shame, and feelings of emptiness or isolation.
Kathy focuses on conversational, practical sessions. She listens for what matters to each person and uses that as the starting point for change. Conversations are aimed at clear steps you can try between sessions. She names patterns, tests small changes, and checks what helps most in day-to-day life.
Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered listening. Mindfulness and motivational interviewing also shape how she works when they fit someone’s goals. These methods are used to help people notice thoughts and feelings, clarify values, and take manageable action toward goals.
Kathy emphasizes respect and sensitivity in sessions and treats people as doing the best they can with the skills they have. She will adapt the dialog and plan to the person in front of her and adjust pace to what feels workable. She encourages simple, realistic steps rather than long lists of tasks.
To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time, and clients should confirm the current session options before booking.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choosing small actions that align with personal values. It can help with persistent guilt, avoidance, and moving forward after loss. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce distress and improve mood. This approach is often useful for anxiety, depression, and setting practical changes into daily routines.Kathy treats the choice of approach as a collaborative part of care. She will work with the client to see which methods fit their goals, needs, and pace. Sessions can include simple exercises, homework between sessions, and checking what actually helps in real life rather than only talking about problems.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, for example by reducing travel time or allowing shorter check-ins during a break. It can also let people use methods like mindfulness practice and behavioral experiments in their usual environment. Ask about the exact session arrangements when you schedule to match practical needs and preferences.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
North Dakota, Minnesota
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, compassion fatigue, and life changes, plus related issues such as caregiver stress, chronic illness, guilt and shame.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She uses conversational methods drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help name unhelpful thoughts and try small changes in daily life.
What is her clinical background?
She has 40 years of professional experience working in social work settings and clinical practice.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds ND LCSW and MN LICSW credentials and is based in North Dakota.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what about cost?
Sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time; specific cost varies with location.
How do I start a first session?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.