Kathleen Pear, LCSW

Kathleen Pear is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 14 years of experience. She works with adults on concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, grief, relationship difficulties, and family of origin issues. She also supports people facing health challenges, aging and caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, and problems linked to isolation or codependency.

Her sessions are straightforward and focused on what is happening now and where it came from. She listens without judgment and helps people notice patterns, especially those that trace back to family roles and early relationships. Conversations include practical steps and reflections to reduce distress and improve day-to-day coping.

Kathleen uses methods drawn from client-centered work, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic therapy. That means she combines attention to current thinking and behavior with exploration of earlier influences on how someone relates to themselves and others. Sessions may include skill practice, thought work, and talking through long-standing patterns.

Her background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland with a concentration in mental health. Those studies and her clinical experience inform how she balances practical strategies with deeper exploration.

People who come to her often want clearer boundaries, fewer anxious or depressive symptoms, or help making sense of how family expectations still affect their choices. She asks straightforward questions and helps people set realistic next steps they can use between sessions.

How her approaches inform online sessions