- Client-centered approach
- Practical coping tools
- Relationship focus
About Kathleen
Kathleen Ries is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 13 years of experience. She helps people facing relationship strain, grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and complications from addiction. Her style is warm and person-focused, aimed at making a difficult problem feel more manageable in everyday life.
Kathleen listens first and builds a plan with each person. She uses Client-Centered Therapy to follow what matters most to the client and to create a respectful space for honest conversation. She also blends practical tools from cognitive behavioral approaches and solution-focused work to support short-term goals.
Sessions often include talking through painful memories, identifying unhelpful patterns, and practicing new ways to respond. Kathleen draws on attachment-based ideas when relationships are central to the problem, helping people see how early bonds affect current reactions. She keeps explanations simple and offers strategies people can try between sessions.
Her approach is collaborative rather than prescriptive. Kathleen aims to help clients notice strengths, set clear goals, and take small steps toward change. She tailors pace and focus to each person’s needs and life circumstances.
For people juggling parenting, work, and other demands, Kathleen emphasizes realistic strategies that fit a busy schedule. She describes therapy as a partnership where practical changes and clearer self-understanding grow together over time.
How her approaches shape online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following what matters most to the client. It helps when someone needs a respectful space to sort through feelings and decide next steps. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships influence current patterns and is useful when recurring relationship reactions cause stress.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust plans as things change, keeping the process collaborative.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm current online options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when schedules are tight. It also lets people use talking and skill practice from wherever they are, which can make it simpler to try strategies between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Kathleen commonly help with?
She supports people dealing with relationship problems, family stress, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, anxiety, depression, addictions, parenting strain, self-esteem, career changes, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is warm and person-focused, using a listening-first approach. She aims to collaborate on goals and offer practical steps between sessions.
What is her professional background?
She has 13 years of clinical experience working with people through life transitions and relationship issues in California.
What credentials and location apply to this therapist?
She holds an LMFT credential and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can I work with her from another country?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.