Kayla Richardson , LICSW

Kayla Richardson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) based in Vermont. She centers her practice on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. Kayla aims to make therapy straightforward and practical so people can start feeling steadier in daily life.

She uses a warm, person-centered approach that begins with listening. Sessions focus on what matters most to the client and on small, useful steps they can try between appointments. Kayla often blends talk-based work with practical tools drawn from cognitive behavioral ideas and motivational techniques.

Her background includes three years of clinical experience working with a range of concerns such as panic, post-traumatic stress, isolation, and chronic illness. She also supports people dealing with adoption and foster care histories, abandonment issues, and struggles with control, guilt, or shame. Kayla is attentive to neurodivergent perspectives and diverse life experiences.

Therapy with Kayla typically explores current patterns, past events that still cause pain, and goals for how clients want to feel or relate differently. She helps people name unhelpful thoughts, practice new behaviors, and build self-compassion. Sessions aim to be clear, steady, and focused on progress that matters to each person.

Kayla offers sessions in English and works with clients across Vermont. She provides several online formats to fit different schedules and communication preferences.

How Kayla’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on understanding each person’s experience and priorities. It involves reflective listening and validating what a client says so they feel heard and can guide the work. This approach helps with issues like low self-esteem, relationship concerns, and finding personal direction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It teaches specific skills to challenge unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors, which can help with anxiety, panic, and depression. Motivational Interviewing supports people who feel stuck by exploring their own reasons for change and building confidence to take small steps.

Kayla treats finding the right approach as a joint process. She will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they adjust methods over time so the work fits the client’s needs and pace.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for full conversations and exercises that use screen sharing. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is preferred. Live chat and text messaging work well for ongoing support, quick check-ins, or people who prefer writing to talking. These options offer flexibility for busy schedules and different communication styles.