Kathryn Vella

Kathryn Vella is an AASW social worker with six years of clinical experience. She focuses on supporting people who are dealing with trauma, anxiety, stress and difficulties with identity after emotional abuse. Kathryn uses straightforward, compassionate care and works with each person at their own pace.

She specialises in work related to coercive control and the effects of narcissistic abuse. Kathryn mixes psychological and social frameworks to make sense of what happened and where to start rebuilding. She offers psychoeducation so people better understand trauma, neurodevelopmental differences and how these can affect recovery.

Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy and Client-Centred practice. Kathryn also uses techniques from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy when emotion regulation and distress tolerance are needed. In sessions she helps people spot unhelpful patterns, practise new ways of coping and build clearer life goals.

Kathryn supports people with ADHD, autism spectrum conditions and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and looks at how these intersect with trauma and relationships. She also addresses concerns such as grief, self-esteem, addictions, sleep problems, career stress and communication difficulties.

Academically, Kathryn is finalising a Master of Clinical Psychology and plans to begin a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Psychopharmacology in 2026. Her research focuses on the neurobiological and clinical aspects of coercive control and complex trauma. She aims to combine clinical work and research to improve practical outcomes for people recovering from controlling relationships.

How Kathryn's approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then commit to actions that match their values. This can be useful for anxiety, low mood and rebuilding life after abusive relationships. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns from early relationships and how they affect trust and closeness now, helping people change how they relate and feel safer in relationships. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening, empathy and supporting the client's own goals so sessions stay grounded in what matters most to the person.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kathryn will discuss options and tailor methods to the client's needs, goals and preferences, and will collaborate on what to try first. That joint decision helps keep therapy relevant and practical.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people access care from where they spend their day and can be a good way to keep continuity of support while balancing other commitments.