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Rated 4.8 stars out of 5, 43 ratings

Kerri Lynn Gavin

LCSW, 18 years of experience

Authentic
Solution oriented
Empowering
Virtual
Next available on

About me

I have been working in the area of behavioral health since 1990, have various degrees from educational institutions, worked several internships for required training, helped move clients from a Developmental Center into homes to live and be a part of the community, have a love of working with older adults, and feel I am a compassionate, kind, person who is client centered and wants to help others to become empowered, if wanted. I have been a social worker for several entities and before that I was a Licensed Psychiatric Technician working on a crisis unit for Sonoma county.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Clients can expect honesty, levity, compassion, understanding, safe environment, confidentiality, and directness (as needed). Completing initial assessment with me, to see if there is a fit between client and myself, and if not refer to another clinician per request or suggest client find a provider who is a better match.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

Meeting the client where they are at instead of putting clinicians agenda onto them, kindness, understanding, examples, honest, levity, compassion, empowering statements, and positive affirmations. Directness to an extent, able to diagnose people with appropriate diagnoses. No stigmatizations and acceptance of various behavioral conditions. Working with people who can learn to admit faults (accountability) and work towards being a better person.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

People who are neurodivergent and would like to learn more about a possible psychiatric diagnosis, like Autism, ADHD, people with cognitive limitations. Older adults with long term trauma, crisis intervention needs, or someone to discuss their lives and problems with. People who have experienced traumatic experiences in their lives, including childhood, and are being triggered in some way, to feel the same way they felt when trauma was occuring, and possible flashbacks. People who would like to learn better communication skills in life or with a partner, child, family member, office staff, or supervisor. Couples, when one was raised on East coast and other raised on west coast. People with anxiety or various mental health issues, who would like to learn better coping skills or may need a referral to a higher level of care, for a medication evalution.

Specialties

Top specialties

ADHD
Autism
Trauma and PTSD

Other specialties

Anger Management
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Coping Skills
Depression
Insomnia/Sleep Issues
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Older Adults
Self Esteem

I identify as

White
Woman

Serves ages

Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

I have used this treatment in therapy as I became more knowledgable about acceptance and commitment in my own life, using various interventions, to assist clients in learning about psychological flexibility through mindfulness, breathing exercises, journaling, etc.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I started using CBT in 1990 when I worked at a group home for SED adolescents, for 15 years at Sonoma Developmental Center, I continue to use it to help people learn coping skills to treat symptoms that are not affectively treated with medications, and to learn more information about their diagnoses and symptoms.

Compassion Focused

I used compassion with clients who have trauma or other psychiatric diagnoses, and appear to have low self esteem, or have not been treated with compassion in their past relationships. Emulating compassion for clients to learn as well. This seems to increase a person's trust in the therapeautic relationship.

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

California

Accepts

Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - WebTPA
All Savers
Anthem
Blue Cross
AvMed
Blue Shield (MHSA) Magellan
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
Cash - $120 per session
Cigna
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Scripps Health Plan
Sharp Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
Rated 4.8 stars out of 5, 43 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

April 25, 2025

She helps me recognize where to look in at myself

Verified client, age 55-64

Review shared after session 2 with Kerri

April 18, 2025

Great fit

Verified client, age 55-64

Review shared after session 1 with Kerri

March 12, 2025

Kerri is a great listener, and she is knowledgeable .

Verified client, age 45-54

Review shared after session 2 with Kerri