Kim Connolly, LMFT - Therapist in California

35 years experience
Warm and direct style
Coping with trauma and loss

About Kim

Kim Connolly is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 35 years in the mental health field. She spent much of her career in nonprofit settings and has supported people through a wide range of concerns. Her approach is warm and interactive, and she aims to move at each person's own pace while being straightforward and honest.

Kim has long experience helping people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma related concerns, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. She has also worked with attachment issues, parenting questions, relationship struggles, and challenges that come with chronic illness or pain. Recent work has included addressing the changes people have faced since COVID in school, work, and home life.

Her style is flexible and practical. She draws from client-centered work and cognitive approaches, and brings DBT and mindfulness practices when they match a person's needs. Motivational interviewing is part of her toolbox for moments when people want help finding direction and building motivation.

Kim values humor and human connection in healing. She respects each person's goals and preferences, and she will be direct while remaining empathetic. She often pairs honest feedback with supportive listening to help people clarify next steps.

Outside of therapy she lives in coastal California and has a long history with dogs, including fostering and rescue work. If this description feels like a fit, follow the Start Therapy steps to begin the process.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-centered work focuses on listening and understanding the person's experience. The therapist follows the client's lead, offers empathy, and helps people clarify what they want to change, which can be useful for relationship concerns, grief, and stress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. It is practical and goal-oriented, often used for anxiety, depression, and managing stressful situations.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) brings skills for regulating intense emotions and improving distress tolerance. Mindfulness elements are often used alongside DBT to help people stay present and reduce reactivity.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to decide which methods feel most useful based on their needs, goals, and preferences. Adjustments are made over time if something is not helping.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to schedule appointments around work, reduce travel time, or allow shorter check-ins when life is busy. Ask about the specific session options offered so you can pick what fits your routine.

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 disaster Domestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyLife purpose Mood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSelf-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

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Kim commonly help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, relationships, parenting, eating issues, and coping with life changes including compassion fatigue.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is warm, interactive, and direct. She listens, offers honest feedback, and tailors methods to each person's pace and comfort.

How much experience does she bring to sessions?

She has 35 years of experience working in mental health, including many years in nonprofit settings and long-term counseling relationships.

What credentials and region are associated with this therapist?

She holds a California LMFT credential and practices from California.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the United States work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are sessions structured and what do they cost?

Specific session formats are not listed here; please confirm current session options before booking. Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.