- Client-centered
- Focus on relationships
- Practical coping
About Kathleen
Kathleen Cates-Richardson is a licensed marriage and family therapist who brings 16 years of clinical experience to her work. She sees people facing anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, addictions, trauma, and intimacy-related concerns. Kathleen aims to create an open space where clients can speak honestly and feel heard.
She focuses on practical steps that fit into everyday life. Sessions often center on identifying patterns that cause pain and trying small changes to test new ways of coping. Kathleen uses approaches that help people reduce distress, improve communication, and rebuild trust in themselves and others.
Her background includes work across settings that exposed her to a wide range of life challenges. That experience informs how she tailors sessions to each person’s situation and pace. She respects each person’s story and meets them where they are.
People come to Kathleen for help with insomnia, substance use, grief after loss, and the fallout of relationship problems. She also supports those dealing with adoption or foster care history, aging and caregiver stress, body image concerns, and the effects of natural or human-caused disasters.
Her style is straightforward and compassionate. She encourages collaboration, asking clients what feels most useful and adjusting the work as needed. To begin, people answer a short questionnaire and schedule sessions based on the matching process.
How these approaches shape online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building an accepting space where the person leads the conversation and the therapist reflects what matters most. This approach helps when someone needs to be heard and understood before moving into change.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact and uses simple experiments to test new ways of thinking. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and patterns that maintain distress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) brings skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and handling relationship conflict. It can help when emotions feel overwhelming or when communication keeps leading to pain.
Finding the right method is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, try approaches that match those goals, and adapt the plan as progress is seen. This collaborative process helps people feel agency over what happens in sessions.
If you prefer online options, confirm the specific session formats before booking. The practical benefits of remote sessions include fitting therapy around work and family demands, shorter check-ins when needed, and avoiding travel time. Talk with the therapist after matching to decide which format and pace will fit your life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Credentials
Iowa, Arizona
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does she commonly address?
She works with anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, trauma and abuse, and sleep problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a client-centered approach and blends practical methods from CBT, DBT, EFT, and existential ideas to suit each person.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 16 years of professional experience working with people across a range of mental health and relationship concerns.
What credentials and location apply?
She is an LMFT licensed in Arizona and Iowa and practices from Iowa.
Which languages are supported and can international clients connect?
Sessions are offered in English and she does accept international clients.
What formats are used for sessions?
Current session formats are not specified here; please confirm available session options before booking.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Pricing varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.