- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
About Cathy
Cathy Bottrell is a licensed independent clinical social worker with the credentials LICSW and LCSW and 23 years of experience in clinical social work. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and life transitions. Cathy also addresses parenting concerns, relationship problems, addiction, ADHD, and anger as part of her practice.
She has a background treating people adjusting to illness, coping with bereavement, and navigating adoption and foster care issues. Her work has included supporting people affected by HIV/AIDS and helping those managing chronic pain, caregiver stress, and cancer-related challenges. Cathy offers practical support for career shifts and handling changes that come with aging.
Cathy uses acceptance and commitment ideas along with client-centered conversation to help people notice what matters to them. She also draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to spot thinking patterns that increase distress. Mindfulness practices are introduced to help with grounding and stress reduction when appropriate.
Sessions focus on clear, doable steps rather than abstract theories. People learn small skills for emotional regulation, communication, and managing anger and resentment. She helps clients work through past experiences, cope with current pressures, and plan for future challenges.
Her approach is collaborative and straightforward. Cathy aims to help people build skills they can apply between sessions. She works in English and practices in the District of Columbia.
How ACT, CBT and client-centered work online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice their thoughts and feelings without getting stuck and choose actions that match their values. It is often used for anxiety, anger, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behavior and introduces small, practical experiments to shift those patterns. It is useful for depression, worry, and problem behaviors. Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening, reflecting, and helping people find their own solutions through conversation rather than giving directives.Finding the best approach is part of the work. Cathy will collaborate with each person to identify which methods fit their goals and daily life. She adapts strategies based on what the client reports about what works and what does not, and choices are revisited over time.
Session formats were not specified in the biography, so confirm the available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove travel time. Some approaches - like CBT homework, ACT exercises, and mindfulness practices - translate well to remote sessions and can be practiced between meetings to reinforce progress.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ years
Listed in
Virginia, District of Columbia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Cathy address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and family concerns, addictions, ADHD, anger, and related life changes.
How would she approach anger and frustration?
Cathy uses a mix of client-centered conversation, acceptance and commitment ideas, CBT, and mindfulness to help people notice triggers and try new responses.
How much experience does she have?
She has 23 years of experience as a clinical social worker and therapist working with grief, illness adjustment, and other mental health concerns.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a DC LICSW and a VA LCSW and practices in the District of Columbia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people from other countries work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees and getting started handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.