Treatment philosophy & modalities


Kate holds a Master of Social Work from New York University.  Extensive work with children, teens, adults & families in schools, homeless shelters, medical & psychiatric hospitals, and community mental health influence her humanistic, strength-based & trauma-informed orientation. She specializes in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Kate has intensive DBT training from the Treatment Implementation Collaborative, founded by Shari Manning, an original researcher on DBT protocols under Marsha Linehan.

Kate’s philosophy reflects the traditional values of social work practice- enhancing individual and collective wellbeing with attention to unmet needs and empowerment of the vulnerable & oppressed.

ACT

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy is a very flexible & straightforward type of psychotherapy.

Research confirms ACT is efficacious for a wide range of mental & emotional health needs, such as:

Challenging life circumstances (divorce, becoming a parent, recent unemployment)

Employment related stress

Grief

Anxiety

Depression

Obsessive Compulsive disorder

Substance abuse

Post traumatic stress disorder

DBT

The pursuit of Dialectical Behavior Therapy is to build a life worth living. Each person must determine what that looks like for them.

This therapy shows us how to move through strong emotions and life threatening actions. DBT views thoughts, emotions, body sensations & actions through the lens of effectiveness.

DBT is effective at managing concerns such as:

Borderline Personality Disorder

Mood dysregulation

Self injury (cutting)

Suicide

Eating Disorders

Symptom severity may indicate need for adherent, comprehensive DBT including weekly individual therapy, group therapy & phone coaching.