- Parenting concerns
- Trauma and loss
- Stress and anxiety
About Cathleen
Cathleen Lilavois is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in New York who draws on years of work with people facing loss, trauma, and parenting challenges. She speaks plainly and focuses on practical steps that make daily life more manageable. Parents reading on a phone will find short, clear guidance and a steady, supportive presence.
Before her current practice she worked in child welfare, providing counseling related to abandonment, trauma, abuse, and neglect. That background informs how she talks about attachment and the effects of early loss on relationships and parenting.
Cathleen also supports mothers who have been involved with the child welfare system and young adults who are planning next steps in school, work, or independence. She helps adults coping with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and compassion fatigue. Her work often addresses stress, communication problems, and setting realistic goals.
Sessions emphasize practical problem solving and identifying strengths the client already has. She encourages small, achievable changes and clearer routines that reduce overwhelm. Many clients work on improving self-love and rebuilding confidence.
Cathleen believes the person coming for help is the expert on their own life. She aims to create a space where parents and individuals can talk through hard feelings and try new ways of handling day-to-day challenges.
How evidence-based techniques guide online work
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques focus on clear strategies to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. For example, approaches that target anxiety often teach breathing and grounding exercises plus problem-solving for stressful situations so people can manage panic and worry more effectively.Another common focus is trauma-informed work that helps people make sense of painful events and their effects. That type of work breaks larger problems into smaller steps, supports safer ways of relating to others, and helps rebuild trust in one’s own responses.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with clients about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they choose techniques and adjust them as progress is made.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy family routines, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let people join from a familiar setting when that helps focus on practical steps and planning.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns can be addressed in sessions?
Therapy can address stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue. Additional focuses include attachment, abandonment, adoption and foster care matters, and mood-related issues.
How does Cathleen approach therapy?
She uses practical, strengths-based work that focuses on small steps and clear goals. The emphasis is on solving everyday problems and building confidence over time.
What is her professional background?
She has four years of documented clinical experience as an LCSW and prior work in child welfare counseling children, adolescents, and parents around trauma, neglect, and related concerns.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She holds an LCSW license in New York and provides services linked to that location.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work together with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.