- Focus on mood
- Practical skills
- Collaborative care
About Cathi
Cathi Brisart is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who helps people coping with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and major life changes. She draws on a range of approaches to support mood challenges, relationship strain, parenting concerns, and the emotional impact of illness. Her tone is direct and practical, aimed at people who want clear help with everyday struggles.
With 12 years of practice in Connecticut, Cathi offers grounded care focused on what’s happening now. Sessions tend to focus on understanding feelings, identifying unhelpful patterns, and building small, workable skills that fit into daily life. She listens first and then helps people choose actions that feel doable.
Cathi uses several therapy methods to guide her work, including client-centered work that centers the person’s own experience, cognitive behavioral tools to untangle thoughts and behaviors, and mindfulness practices to manage stress and mood. She also draws on techniques from emotionally focused and dialectical approaches when relationships or strong emotions are central concerns.
Her background includes social work degrees earned with honors in Connecticut and membership in the National Association of Social Workers. That experience informs a pragmatic, empathic approach to complex problems like trauma, chronic illness, and blended family issues.
People who meet with Cathi can expect a steady, collaborative process. The goal is clearer thinking, better coping, and day-to-day improvements rather than quick fixes. She asks about goals and priorities and helps set manageable steps toward them.
With 12 years of practice in Connecticut, Cathi offers grounded care focused on what’s happening now. Sessions tend to focus on understanding feelings, identifying unhelpful patterns, and building small, workable skills that fit into daily life. She listens first and then helps people choose actions that feel doable.
Cathi uses several therapy methods to guide her work, including client-centered work that centers the person’s own experience, cognitive behavioral tools to untangle thoughts and behaviors, and mindfulness practices to manage stress and mood. She also draws on techniques from emotionally focused and dialectical approaches when relationships or strong emotions are central concerns.
Her background includes social work degrees earned with honors in Connecticut and membership in the National Association of Social Workers. That experience informs a pragmatic, empathic approach to complex problems like trauma, chronic illness, and blended family issues.
People who meet with Cathi can expect a steady, collaborative process. The goal is clearer thinking, better coping, and day-to-day improvements rather than quick fixes. She asks about goals and priorities and helps set manageable steps toward them.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
Connecticut
Languages
English
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s experience and priorities, helping them lead the pace of sessions and identify what matters most. This approach can help with grief, self-esteem, and coping with life changes by putting the client’s goals first.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts and behaviors connect and teaches practical tools to change unhelpful patterns. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and stress because it breaks problems into manageable steps.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for managing intense emotions and improving relationships through clear strategies for distress tolerance and emotional regulation. It can be useful when mood swings, strong reactions, or relationship conflicts are present.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, symptoms, and preferences, then suggest which methods to try first. That decision is collaborative and can change as needs evolve.
Session formats are not specified in the provided biography, so please confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and making it simpler to schedule sessions around work, medical appointments, or caregiving duties.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Cathi help with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, coping with life changes, relationship and family strain, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, career issues, bipolar mood concerns, and compassion fatigue.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is practical and client-centered. She listens first, then works with people to set realistic goals and small steps they can use between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
Cathi has 12 years of clinical experience working with a range of mood and relationship concerns in Connecticut.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Connecticut and practices in that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.