Dr. Kathleen Ayers

Dr. Kathleen Ayers is a clinical psychologist in California who helps people cope with stress, anxiety, anger, grief, sleep problems, and the effects of trauma and chronic illness. She brings 32 years of experience to conversations about mood, relationships, sexual intimacy concerns, ADHD, and bipolar symptoms. Her work also includes helping people facing caregiver strain, compassion fatigue, and the challenges that follow disasters or loss.

Dr. Ayers combines practical tools with thoughtful listening. She uses cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and acceptance and commitment ideas to help people live by their values even when symptoms are present. Dialectical behavior therapy skills are folded in for emotion regulation and distress tolerance when needed. She often gives short homework tasks between sessions so people can try new skills in daily life.

Her background includes long-term clinical work with people who have chronic pain and other ongoing medical conditions. She also has training in approaches for insomnia and has pursued certifications related to nutrition and diet, while noting she is not a dietitian or nutritionist. Over many years she has learned to balance practical problem-solving with compassion for unexpected suffering.

Sessions aim to be straightforward and collaborative. Dr. Ayers listens for what matters most to each person, then helps set small, doable steps toward those goals. She also offers group work in addition to individual sessions.

People considering help are encouraged to describe their main concern and recent history during the initial match. That lets her and the person decide which skills and approaches will fit best.

How ACT, CBT, and DBT Can Be Used Online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on helping people notice their thoughts and feelings without being controlled by them, and then act in ways that match their values. It can help with anxiety, depression, anger, and coping with chronic health issues.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches concrete skills to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is often used for anxiety, panic, sleep problems, and mood concerns and typically includes brief homework to try new strategies between sessions.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, offers skills for managing strong emotions, improving distress tolerance, and building interpersonal effectiveness. Those skills can be helpful when anger or intense mood shifts interfere with daily life.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. The therapist will work together with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That shared planning helps tailor the sessions so time is focused on what the person wants to change.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not specified in the biography. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit visits into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Ask about the current session options when you schedule so you can pick what works best for your routine.