Kate Schwarz, LCSW
PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Hi, I'm Kate
she/her/hers
I am a licensed clinical social worker (license number 090592) and psychotherapist based in Westchester, NY, and I work with young adults and adults who are living with anxiety and depression.
My approach
In our early sessions, I will want to learn about what brings you to therapy. I will ask questions to guide us and I will listen carefully, without judgement (even about difficult things), as you teach me about your life. Through this process we will take two important steps: (1) we will develop a deeper shared understanding of you and how your experiences have shaped the way you feel about yourself, and (2) we will build trust and hope- both of which are essential for moving forward into the good but hard work of psychotherapy.
Positive change evolves out of understanding how past events, or even just our own unquestioned assumptions, keep us repeating unhelpful patterns. My job is to illuminate these connections, with honesty and care, and then to help you find new ways of being (thinking, reacting, acting) that will better serve you and your life.
In addition to the historical work (increasing awareness, insight and understanding around past experiences), I utilize cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness techniques and, when appropriate, creative interventions such as music, role play or writing. Most importantly, I bring myself to engage in an honest and caring process with you as you work to create the life you want to live and to become the person you want to be.
My background
I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of the Arts and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Maryland, Baltimore. My previous clinical experience has been in community mental health and college counseling, where I primarily worked with young adults and adults.
My practice
At this time I am offering virtual sessions through a secure, easy-to-use teletherapy platform (available for NY residents only). In the future I will resume in-person sessions, but I will continue to offer teletherapy for clients who prefer to meet virtually or for those who have barriers that prevent them from attending sessions in-person.
My values
My core values of authenticity, compassion and respect inform every aspect of my personal and professional life. From the way I engage with clients to how I teach my toddlers to interact with each other and the world, I live these values day in and day out. Additionally, I work hard to practice cultural humility, a lifelong process of learning, increasing self-awareness, and engaging in self-reflection.
I am a straight, white, cisgender female as well as an artist, a career-changer, a wife, and a mother. While my identity affects how I view and understand the world, I cherish opportunities to work with individuals whose backgrounds and experiences differ from my own.