Kim Connolly

Compassionate therapist with decades of experience

LMFT California

Experience: 35 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Kim

Kim Connolly is an experienced licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 35 years in the mental health field, much of that time spent in nonprofit settings.

Background and approach

She built her career working with a broad range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and challenges related to relationships, family life, parenting, and eating.

Her practice also addresses compassion fatigue, coping with life changes, and complex focus areas such as attachment issues, adoption and foster care, chronic illness and pain, and domestic violence. Her style blends warmth, empathy, and directness.

Kim adapts her approach to each person’s pace and preferences, combining client-centered listening with evidence-informed methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness, narrative work, and motivational interviewing.

She draws on decades of clinical experience supporting people through personal growth, recovery from abuse, and the shifting stresses of modern life, including recent pandemic-related impacts on work, school, and family routines.

Rooted in a long personal and professional history with caregiving and community service, Kim offers practical guidance, honest feedback, and a sense of humor to help clients navigate difficult transitions. She practices in California and conducts sessions in English.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Care

Kim integrates cognitive behavioral strategies and client-centered principles into online sessions. Cognitive behavioral approaches focus on identifying and changing unhelpful thought and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, while client-centered work emphasizes empathic listening, validation, and collaboration to help clients find their own goals and solutions.

She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills when appropriate, teaching practical tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness that can be useful for managing intense feelings and improving relationships. Each approach is presented in accessible, goal-oriented ways so clients can apply what they learn between sessions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process; the therapist works with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Initial conversations help shape a tailored plan and allow for adjustments as progress unfolds.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for each client.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Kim commonly address?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, relationship and family problems, parenting and eating related concerns, anger, and coping with life changes.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is warm, interactive, and empathetic while also being direct and honest; she adapts methods to each client's pace and comfort level.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 35 years of experience in the mental health field, with extensive work in nonprofit settings and long-term therapeutic relationships.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, CA LMFT 44287, and is located in California.

Which languages does she use in sessions?

Sessions are conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available with her?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin therapy with her?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stress Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

35+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English