LCSW, 5 years of experience
Hello! I'm so glad to meet you. My name is Kiara Gaton, and I’m a licensed clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. I’ve served in various roles throughout my career, most recently as a therapist and school social worker. I’m deeply passionate about empowering clients to take charge of their lives and equipping them with the tools and perspectives they need to thrive.
My goal is to make my clients feel empowered, capable, and strong. All of this is within you already; it just takes some fine tuning and practice to feel comfortable within one's own skin. I am here to support you and provide encouragement as we dive in and set out on a new positive path ahead.
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the balance I strike between empathy and structure. I create a warm, collaborative space where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions—but I also bring in practical, evidence-based strategies that lead to real, lasting change. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), but I tailor each session to the individual, integrating techniques from mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, and strengths-based approaches when appropriate. Clients often tell me they appreciate how our work feels non-judgmental, supportive and action-oriented. They leave sessions not only feeling heard, but also with concrete tools and new perspectives they can apply right away. My goal is always to help clients build a stronger connection to themselves, improve their resilience, and feel more in control of their lives.
I’m best positioned to support individuals who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, trauma, anxiety, or life transitions and are ready to make meaningful changes. Many of my clients come to me feeling stuck, unsure of how to move forward, or burdened by self-doubt and emotional fatigue. I work well with those who are motivated to understand themselves more deeply, develop healthier thought patterns, and build practical coping skills. Whether you're navigating challenges at work or school, managing symptoms of anxiety or depression, or striving to build more confidence and clarity in your life, I’m here to help you uncover your strengths and take purposeful steps toward your goals. I provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow.
In a therapeutic setting, my experience with CBT involves helping clients recognize and reframe negative or distorted thinking, understand how their thoughts influence emotions and behaviors, and to develop practical strategies for problem-solving and emotional regulation.