- ACT methods
- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practice
About Cathy
Cathy Bottrell is a licensed clinical social worker - LICSW in Washington, DC and LCSW in Virginia - with 23 years of experience helping people cope with grief, loss, illness, and life transitions. She focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, addiction concerns, relationship and family issues, and a range of other struggles mentioned in her practice.
She meets people where they are and talks through what feels overwhelming now. Sessions focus on practical ways to handle difficult days, process past experiences, and develop clearer steps for moving forward. She uses straightforward conversation and active listening to identify what matters most to each person.
Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice patterns of thought and behavior and test different responses. Client-Centered Therapy and mindfulness practices appear in sessions to help people slow down, ground themselves, and clarify choices.
Cathy has worked with issues related to adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, chronic illness and disability, fertility and cancer concerns, and family-of-origin problems. She also supports people who are dealing with intimacy concerns, anger, sleep problems, career transitions, and compassion fatigue.
Sessions are intended to be collaborative - she helps people set goals, try new strategies, and review what works. For someone facing social anxiety, phobia, or difficulty speaking up in groups, she can offer tools to reduce avoidance and practice manageable social steps.
She offers services in English from her District of Columbia practice and notes that international clients are not currently accepted. To begin, people are asked to complete the site matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How Cathy's approaches translate to online work
Cathy commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. ACT helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them, and it focuses on identifying personal values and committed steps forward. CBT looks at unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and introduces experiments and practical strategies to change them.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Cathy will talk with the person about goals, preferences, and what feels manageable, then try methods that fit those priorities. She checks in and adjusts the plan as needed rather than sticking to a single method.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm the current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules demand. It can also let people practice skills in everyday settings and return to them between sessions. Licensed professionals and therapists often use these conveniences to keep work consistent with a client's life while focusing on clear, practical steps.
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 concerns does she help with most?
Cathy works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and family problems, and many related issues including social anxiety and phobia.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses a practical, conversational style that combines acceptance and commitment ideas with cognitive behavioral techniques and client-centered listening.
How much experience does she have?
She has 23 years of experience as a clinical social worker and therapist working with a wide range of concerns.
What credentials and location apply to sessions?
She holds DC LICSW and VA LCSW credentials and practices from the District of Columbia.
Are sessions offered in other languages or countries?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How does the cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.