About Kathleen
Kathleen brings over 25 years of experience in the fields of mental health and substance use treatment. Originally from Chicago, Kathleen relocated to Citrus County, Florida, in 2007, where she has made significant contributions to the community.
She began her tenure in Florida with The Centers in Citrus County, serving for 11 years in various capacities. Kathleen was instrumental in launching Citrus County’s Mental Health Court in 2008, dedicating five years to this initiative. She subsequently transitioned to roles as an outpatient licensed therapist for four years and concluded her time with The Centers as a Residential Clinical Manager for two years.
Kathleen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University in 1995. After working in the substance use field for three years, she returned to Northeastern to complete her Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling in 2001. She was licensed as a Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Illinois, where she also held certification as a Mentally Ill Substance Abuse Counselor. In 2007, upon relocating to Florida, Kathleen became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She is also certified as an Approved Clinical Supervisor, mentoring new therapists in the mental health field.
Kathleen has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which she integrates into her practice alongside Psycho-Educational Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Reality Therapy. Her clinical expertise spans a range of areas, including:
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Adjustment and Relationship Issues
- Suicidal Ideation and Acute Crises
- Substance Use and Addictions
- Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors
- Bipolar and Personality Disorders
- Trauma Responses
- Anxiety and Depressive Disorders
- Abuse Recovery (Physical, Sexual, and Emotional)
- Anger and Stress Management
Kathleen’s approach to therapy is collaborative and client centered. She views the counseling process as an alliance where clients are the experts in their own lives. Her goal is to create a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore challenges, identify strengths, and work toward meaningful change. She emphasizes accountability and active participation, encouraging clients to take ownership of their therapeutic journey through tools like structured homework and skill-building exercises.
Through her compassionate and evidence-based approach, Kathleen is committed to helping clients achieve a more satisfying and empowered life.
