Katherine "Katie" Saraga, LCSW

Katherine "Katie" Saraga is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in Illinois with four years of experience. She keeps a laid-back, warm approach and aims to make therapy feel approachable. Katie focuses on helping people identify strengths and use them to move past current struggles.

Her style is supportive and direct. She encourages honest conversation and works at a pace that feels comfortable. Humor and empathy are part of her sessions when they fit the moment.

Katie uses several practical therapy approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and mindfulness-based work. She draws on these tools to help with stress, anxiety, depression, sleeping problems, anger, and low self-esteem. She also helps people manage life changes, grief, compassion fatigue, and challenges related to ADHD.

She has additional experience with autism and Asperger syndrome, chronic pain, communication problems, dissociation, intellectual disability, sensory impairments, pregnancy and childbirth concerns, and young adult issues. Katie aims to tailor sessions around each person’s priorities and day-to-day realities.

To begin, readers are invited to use the site’s Start Therapy flow, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability. Katie responds to questions and shares practical next steps for working together.

How Katie’s approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values while accepting difficult thoughts or feelings. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on practical skills to notice and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which is often helpful for depression, anxiety, sleeping problems, and anger. Mindfulness-based work teaches simple attention and breathing practices to calm the mind and reduce reactivity, useful for stress and emotional regulation.

Figuring out which approach fits best is part of the first sessions. The therapist will work together with clients to pick strategies aligned with their goals and daily life. Adjustments happen over time if something isn’t working so the plan stays relevant and practical.

Confirm the specific online session formats before booking so you know what is possible. Many people find online work makes it easier to fit therapy into busy days, have shorter check-ins when needed, or avoid travel. Online sessions can let clients use tools introduced in session right away in their everyday settings, and Katie will help adapt exercises to what will work in each person’s routine.