Kate Patarozzi
Welcome. I'm glad you're here. My name is Kate Patarozzi, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 18 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Throughout my career, I have worked in psychiatric hospitals, substance use treatment, community mental health, and outpatient therapy, helping individuals navigate some of life's most difficult challenges. I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, grief/loss, caregiver stress, life transitions, relationship difficulties and addiction. I have a particular focus on trauma-informed care, working with individuals who have experienced complex, relational, or acute trauma — including those with military or service-related backgrounds. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected, or simply exhausted from carrying more than you can manage on your own, you do not have to face it alone.
I have experience working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, self-esteem issues and many other difficult life challenges.
I believe that healing begins when we feel safe enough to be fully seen and heard. My goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can explore your experiences openly, gain insight into patterns that may no longer serve you, and develop practical tools to create meaningful change. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Positive Psychology. I don't believe therapy is about "fixing" people — it is about helping you reconnect with yourself, understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors more deeply, and build on the strengths and resilience you already possess. Together, we will work toward a life that feels authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling — at a pace that feels right for you. If you are looking for a therapist who will listen with compassion, meet you where you are, and gently challenge you to grow, I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey.
First session
Our first session is about getting to know you — and giving you the chance to get to know me. I will ask questions to better understand what has brought you to therapy, your personal history, and what you are hoping to accomplish. First sessions tend to cover meaningful ground, including some background history and a few standard screening questions, so that I can best understand how to support you. There is no pressure to share more than you are ready to. This is also your opportunity to evaluate whether I am the right fit for you. A strong therapeutic relationship is one of the most important ingredients in meaningful change, and I want you to feel confident in that choice. My goal is for you to leave our first session feeling heard, respected, supported, and hopeful — and with a clearer sense of what our work together might look like.
Strengths
Your relationship with your therapist matters more than any technique or approach. Therapy asks us to look at the parts of ourselves we would rather keep hidden — the parts that carry shame, fear, or pain. That takes courage, and it requires feeling genuinely safe with the person sitting across from you. I bring warmth, humor, and honesty to the work. I will not just nod and reflect — I will be present with you, remember what matters to you, and meet you with both compassion and directness. I will challenge you when it serves you, and I will do it in a way that feels supportive rather than confrontational. What I hear most from clients is that they feel truly known in our sessions — not just listened to, but understood. That is what I strive for every time.
Ideal clients
Do you struggle with feelings of inadequacy? Do you question where you are going or what your next step should be? Have your thoughts become more of your own worst enemy than your own best friend? Do you feel like you are in a constant state of unrest? Or distress? Or feel like you're just running in survival mode? If you relate to any of this, I would love to meet with you. We learn so many things about ourselves through our interactions with others. Depending upon the messages we have received in life, the beliefs we have formed about ourselves can be skewed, distorted, and inaccurate - and this impacts not only how we see ourselves, but how we interact with the world! Together we can begin to identify and unravel those unhealthy and distorted thought patterns that are keeping you stuck and begin to replace them with healthier ones that better support you and your life goals.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, we will look at your thought patterns and how they are impacting the way you feel and behave. Oftentimes, we have distorted thought patterns that actually increase our anxiety, depression, anger, etc. With CBT, I will guide you in identifying those patterns, teach you ways to change those patterns and ultimately gain better control over your thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I also utilize an Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) approach. With ACT, we will work on accepting uncomfortable thoughts and emotions without acting on them, changing them, or allowing them to control us. ACT teaches that we are separate from our thoughts and emotions. We experience our thoughts and emotions, but they do not define us or dictate our behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy focuses on teaching mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness skills as well as improving your ability to regulate your emotions and tolerate distressing feelings safely. Individuals with a history of trauma often benefit from a DBT approach. In utilizing DBT, you will learn things like grounding skills to utilize when experiencing distressing thoughts or emotions, how to practice the "opposite action" to manage distressing moods, and mindfulness techniques to remain in the here and now.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Serves
Licensed in
- FloridaLicense SW21397
- IllinoisLicense 149020789
- PennsylvaniaLicense CW027979