Welcome! Something happening in your life has brought you here! I praise you! It is not an easy step to take. There is still a stigma around mental health and the process for getting support or help can be overwhelming. Sometimes in life things unexpectedly occur or maybe a person is “dealt a bad hand or unfair deal.” Maybe you feel isolated, lonely, or overwhelmed by life demands. On the other side of any of these scenarios, there is light. There is hope. Things can change for the better when you find the support that your needing. I want to help you get there. Here is a little bit about me.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience providing therapy services. I have worked in a wide range of therapeutic settings, including partial and intensive outpatient care, in-home care, hospitals, and community based including homeless and domestic violence shelter, and managing a private practice. I collaborate with individuals affected by trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, and relationship struggles. I have specialized training in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with children and Cognitive Processing Therapy with adults impacted by PTSD. I currently work with the veteran population and have experience supporting those with post-deployment, transition, and adjustment concerns. Originally from Chicago, I moved to Mississippi to build a life with my partner, he is originally from MS. I received my undergraduate degree from Metropolitan University in St. Paul, MN and my master’s degree from the Jane Adams School of Social Work at UIC (University of Illinois, Chicago).
As a social worker, I am committed to a person-centered, holistic, and integrated approach. This means I begin where you are and tailor the treatment approach to your needs while being sensitive to how your individual cultural identities and lifestyle choices impact your experience and how you live in the world. My approach to therapy is client centered: individuals are the experts on their lives and determine the direction and depth of therapy. Everyone has strengths that can be identified and contribute to guiding the treatment process, and often “two heads are better than one” when seeking solutions to problems! In therapy, I can draw on multiple modalities (pathways) to guide the therapeutic process. For example, through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I have assisted clients in exploring the relationship among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This often aids in discovering unwanted thought patterns that complicate our life in crummy ways, such as self-destructive behaviors and beliefs (drinking too much or thinking, “I can’t seem to do anything right!”). Another example is through the use of Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT). I have supported clients through developing and strengthening skills including mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation (not going 0-60 in a flash, or snapping verbally on a person, or maybe you have had “road rage” while driving). In summary my therapeutic style involves helping you to arrive at insight, strategies, and tools that you can use immediately to make positive changes in your life.
Outside of my work as a clinical social worker and therapist, I enjoy volunteering for causes that improve the environment, and help military families and veterans. I also enjoy reading, running, water activities, and spending time with my partner and children. We most love traveling and exploring new places and foods, and learning from new people!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Eating and Food-Related Issues, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hearing Impaired, HIV / AIDS, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visually Impaired, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
MS LCSW C8458
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Kathlene “Kat” Strangeman. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Kat is very understanding and always replies were quickly.
Written on Sep 28, 2020 after therapy with Kathlene “Kat” for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, and anger management