Carole Kaufman , LISW

Carole Kaufman is a seasoned independently licensed social worker whose calm, warm presence helps people feel understood and supported as they address a range of mental health concerns. She holds the LISW credential - Licensed Independent Social Worker - and brings decades of practical experience to her counseling approach, emphasizing a strong therapeutic connection as the foundation for meaningful work.

After a long career that included both a private practice and work at the Cleveland Clinic in inpatient geriatric and adult psychiatry, Carole recently retired from those roles and is prepared to resume providing counseling services to clients in need. Her background includes significant focus on maternal and child health, and she completed an intensive, one-year postgraduate training program in cognitive behavioral therapy to deepen her clinical skills.

Carole also incorporates solution-focused and psychodynamic techniques, tailoring interventions to the needs of each person. Her areas of interest include adjustment disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, challenges related to aging and chronic or sudden illness, separation and loss, parental guidance, and the concerns of the so-called sandwich generation. Throughout her practice she emphasizes empathy, practical strategies, and attention to each client’s history and goals.

Approaches and Online Care for Counseling

Carole integrates several therapeutic approaches depending on a person’s needs. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaborative goal setting - the therapist follows the client's lead and helps build self-awareness and problem-solving skills, which can be especially helpful for relationship, adjustment, and self-esteem concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical exercises and skill-building. This approach is effective for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes, offering concrete strategies to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Carole works with each person to evaluate their goals, history, and preferences, and adapts methods over time to find the best fit rather than assuming a single technique will work for everyone.

Online therapy offers flexibility to access care through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, continue work during life transitions, and maintain regular contact with a therapist without geographic limits, while allowing licensed professionals to apply the same therapeutic approaches in formats that suit each client.