Therapist profile
Kathleen Phalen, LCSW
Arizona
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Anger and Anxiety
Continue with KathleenKey details
- CredentialsLCSW
- LicenseLCSW, Arizona / LCSW-10934
- NPI1306286349
- Experience24 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationArizona
About
- CBT techniques
- Mindfulness practice
- Motivational interviewing
About Kathleen
Kathleen Phalen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Arizona with 24 years of experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family concerns, grief, trauma and abuse, anger, and life changes.
She uses straightforward conversation to identify what’s causing strain and what keeps it going. Sessions focus on practical steps that people can try between meetings. Kathleen draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She also uses attachment-informed ideas to look at how past relationships shape current patterns.
Motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies appear when someone needs help finding the next right step. Mindfulness techniques are offered to reduce reactivity and to increase awareness of bodily and emotional signals. These approaches are used to address communication problems, control issues, substance use concerns, workplace stress, and social anxiety among other problems she lists.
Her background includes a master’s degree in clinical social work from Arizona State University and ongoing practice across many settings. Kathleen describes her work as collaborative - she listens, offers evidence-based tools, and adjusts plans as people report what helps.
Sessions are conducted in English and Kathleen does not accept international clients. Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, users complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Kathleen often blends cognitive behavioral work with attachment-informed ideas to help people change reactive patterns. CBT focuses on identifying thought and behavior loops and testing small experiments to reduce angry responses. Attachment-based work looks at how early relationship experiences influence current trust and conflict patterns, which can help explain why similar situations keep triggering anger.She also uses mindfulness practices to increase moment-to-moment awareness and motivational interviewing to support readiness for change. Mindfulness can help someone notice the physical signs of rising anger before it escalates. Motivational interviewing helps people identify internal reasons to try different responses rather than relying on pressure from others.
Finding the right mix of these approaches is part of the work. Kathleen collaborates with each person to decide which methods match their goals and life demands. She adjusts the focus as clients report what feels useful and what does not.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins during a break, or avoid being on camera when that feels uncomfortable. Licensed professionals commonly adapt exercises, homework, and mindfulness practices for remote sessions to keep progress moving.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
24+ years
Listed in
Arizona
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger or temper issues does she address?
She works with adults who struggle with frustration, resentment, snapping at loved ones, workplace irritability, and built-up anger related to past trauma.
How would she approach anger in sessions?
She uses cognitive behavioral methods to change unhelpful thoughts and mindfulness to increase awareness of urges. Attachment-based ideas and motivational interviewing guide work on relationship patterns and motivation to change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 24 years of professional experience working in social work settings and with people on issues like anxiety, addictions, depression, and grief.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Arizona and practices with that credential in the state.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with a first appointment?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.