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KC Portrait of Kathleen Cates-Richardson

Kathleen Cates-Richardson, LMFT

Supportive, practical therapy for difficult life moments

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About Kathleen

Kathleen Cates-Richardson uses a client-centered approach to guide people through hard moments. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 16 years of practice and focuses on helping people facing depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, relationship strain, and problems with intimacy and sleep.

Background and approach

Kathleen aims to create a calm, respectful space where someone can talk about worries without judgment. Her sessions start by listening closely to what matters most to the person seeking help.

She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thinking and build different habits. Dialectical behavior strategies are used when strong emotions feel overwhelming, offering concrete skills for distress and regulation.

Emotionally focused ideas are woven in to strengthen emotional awareness and clearer communication. Existential elements help people connect what they value with everyday choices.

This mix supports practical changes alongside deeper self-understanding. Over her career Kathleen has assisted people with a wide range of concerns beyond the core areas.

These include abandonment, adoption and foster care questions, aging and caregiver stress, body image, and challenges related to cancer or chronic illness. She also addresses substance use and domestic violence issues when they are part of someone’s story.

Sessions are available in English and can be arranged from Iowa. Kathleen emphasizes collaboration and steady pacing, helping each person move at a speed that feels manageable.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Client-centered therapy puts the person’s experience first and focuses on listening and understanding. Online sessions use that same stance to let someone tell their story and set goals at their own pace. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that get in the way; in virtual sessions the therapist and client work on spotting patterns and practicing new skills between meetings. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness; these skills can be practiced in short phone check-ins or reinforced with messages between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the person to decide which methods fit their needs and goals. That might mean starting with skill-building, moving to emotionally focused work, or mixing approaches as progress unfolds. The process is paced according to what feels manageable.

Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls are useful for face-to-face conversation and shared exercises. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging make brief check-ins and skill practice possible between meetings, which can help maintain momentum and fit therapy into a busy schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?
She focuses on depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship strain, intimacy issues, and sleep problems, along with related areas such as caregiver stress and body image.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Their style is client-centered with practical tools from CBT and DBT and attention to emotions and meaning through EFT and existential ideas.
How much experience does she have?
She has 16 years of professional experience working with a wide range of concerns and life situations.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with licensure noted in Iowa and Arizona and practices from Iowa.
Which languages are supported and can international clients connect?
Sessions are offered in English, and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Sessions can be carried out by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
16 years
Licensed
Iowa, Arizona
Languages
English