Kelly Saraceno

Kelly Saraceno is a licensed clinical social worker with two decades of experience helping people shift patterns that hold them back. She works with individuals who feel overwhelmed by stress, life events, or ongoing struggles and wants to help them move toward clearer days. Kelly is based in Maryland and sees clients in English. Her practice focuses on practical change. She blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. Dialectical behavior strategies are used when emotions feel intense and people need tools to manage reactions like anger or anxiety. Sessions are aimed at everyday problems - parenting strain, relationships, work stress, grief, mood concerns, addiction challenges, and questions about purpose or self-worth. Kelly helps people notice patterns, practice new skills, and set realistic steps they can actually use between appointments. She approaches therapy as a collaborative process. The client’s goals guide the plan, and progress is reviewed along the way. Expect straightforward conversation, practical exercises, and homework when it fits the work. With 20 years of clinical experience and an LCSW-C credential (Maryland), Kelly draws on established approaches while tailoring each plan to the person in front of her. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.

How these approaches translate to online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and guiding the conversation around what matters most to the client. It emphasizes respect for the person's choices and builds plans from the client’s goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. It often helps with anxiety, depression, and stress by using short activities and homework. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, offers concrete skills for handling strong emotions and relationships, including techniques for distress tolerance and emotion regulation that can reduce outbursts like anger.

Finding the right combination of these approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which tools to try first and will adjust the plan based on progress and preference. This makes therapy more likely to fit what the person actually needs.

Session formats are not listed here, so confirm current online options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, remove travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also supports continuing care between in-person appointments and lets people use therapy from different locations as their schedule requires.