Kathrina Cauckwell-Rafferty, LCSW

Kathrina Cauckwell-Rafferty is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in California with a decade of experience supporting individuals and families through complex life challenges. She has focused much of her clinical work on substance use disorders, helping people build practical coping skills, process past trauma, repair relationships, and identify sources of ongoing support. Her background also includes providing therapy for youth and families and offering services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

She approaches each case with a nonjudgmental, client-centered perspective and collaborates with clients to set meaningful, individual goals and personalized treatment plans. Kathrina integrates strategies that attend to emotional healing, relational dynamics, and behavior change so clients can move toward greater stability and wellbeing.

For convenience and accessibility, she offers a range of remote session formats including messaging, live chat, phone sessions, and video sessions. She checks messages twice daily, seven days a week, and her calendar shows standard availability; she may have additional openings, so prospective clients are encouraged to send a message if their scheduling needs fall outside posted times.

Kathrina combines clinical experience with practical support to guide clients through recovery, relationship repair, and life transitions, and she looks forward to working with those ready to take the next step.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the individual and their goals, offering a supportive, empathetic space where the therapist follows the client’s lead to explore feelings and identify priorities. It works well for people seeking understanding, emotional validation, and collaborative planning for change.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines skills training and coaching to help manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and reduce impulsive or self-destructive behaviors. It is often helpful for those struggling with mood instability, strong anger, or difficulties with emotional regulation.

Motivational Interviewing is a conversational approach that helps people resolve ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change. It is particularly useful for addressing substance use and other behaviors where readiness and commitment can vary.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Kathrina works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors techniques over time, adjusting the plan as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions by video or phone make it possible to meet from home, while live chat and text-based messaging provide ongoing support between scheduled appointments. These options help accommodate busy schedules, transportation limits, and varying comfort levels with remote care, making it easier to maintain consistent work toward therapy goals.