Rate Branigan Kerr

I am an LCSW located in Southern California. I have extensive experience working with anxiety, depression, life events, and trauma, and I am EMDR certified. I am also a veteran, and I love to work with other veterans.

I utilize a collaborative approach with my patients. I help my patients to identify their goals for treatment and work with them to help achieve their goals while also empowering them.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and low self-esteem. I provide a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients can build coping skills, strengthen resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change.

My communication style is warm, collaborative, and authentic. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel comfortable sharing openly. I balance empathy with honest feedback, tailoring my approach to each client's needs while encouraging insight, growth, and practical change.

I work collaboratively with clients to develop realistic, meaningful goals based on their unique needs and values. Using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, I help clients build practical coping skills, identify unhelpful thought patterns, strengthen resilience, and track progress to lasting change.

When I left the military, I realized that I wanted to continue helping others. I went to school and achieved my bachelor's, then my master's in social work. I worked in a psychiatric hospital and also worked with homeless veterans. For the last 7 years, I have been working in a correctional setting, helping inmates who struggle with mental illness.

After leaving the military, I found my passion for helping others through mental health care. I earned my bachelor's and MSW, worked in psychiatric and veteran services, and have spent the past seven years providing therapy in correctional settings. I am currently completing my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.