About Kathy

Kathy O'Connell, LMHC, CRC              

Kathy O’Connell is one of the country’s leading advocates for helping people, particularly with disabilities, create healthy romantic relationships and sexual identities through her unique methodology of increasing self-esteem.

Kathy, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, educates about “Sexual Ableism,” a social discrimination that causes individuals with disabilities to falsely believe they are not worthy of a beautiful, healthy romantic relationship. Much of what Kathy teaches about self-esteem, confidence, and dating can be applied to anyone dating, with or without a disability. Kathy teaches and promotes inclusive dating.

Kathy lives with Cerebral Palsy and is happily married for 15 years and has a son (along with two fur babies a cat & dog!) Listen to the story of her first date with her husband, which spurred her work in dating and relationships.

Kathy has two Masters degrees in Rehabilitation Counseling and Inclusive Education from Syracuse University.

Kathy has been acknowledged by the Cerebral Palsy Association of New York for her achievements. She received the Merit Award for Excellence from Syracuse University and has been named a Person of Distinction by New York State Developmental Disability Planning Council.

Kathy is the author of the book Firewalk: Embracing Different Abilities (Published by Balboa Press a Division of Hay House)  about facing challenges inherent to living with a disability and pursuing the life you want.

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York (LHMC), she has operated Radiant Abilities, serving both people with and without disabilities with over 25 years experience working directly with hundreds of people.

Alexa Strickland

Alexa Strickland is a Mental Health Counselor-LP and Trainer at Radiant Abilities who specializes in working with people with disabilities in the areas of dating, relationships, self-esteem, and confidence and focuses on issues surrounding disability, intimacy, relationships, and ableism.

Alexa attended Cazenovia College where she received her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in May of 2022. In graduate school, she created a study called “The Effects of Ableism on People with Disabilities in Intimate Relationships” to shed light on the issues and stigma surrounding disability, intimacy, and ableism.

Alexa is currently accepting new clients and has experience working with adults with and without disabilities. She has experience working with individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, and brain injuries and people with various mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar and those experiencing family/relationship difficulties.  

Alexa also offers Self-Development Classes at Radiant Abilities. Classes are open to all individuals and are intended to address the development of personal goals to feel happier, successful, and more fulfilled. Classes consist of discussions, reflective written exercises, and reading self-improvement material. 

Alexa uses a person-centered approach with her clients and is committed to helping others become more self-aware, achieve greater independence, and learn how to direct their own lives.