- Emotion-focused work
- CBT strategies
- Sleep and mood
About Kathleen
Kathleen Cates-Richardson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 16 years of professional experience. She practices in Iowa and lists work addressing anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, relationship concerns, trauma and intimacy-related issues.
Kathleen focuses on straightforward conversation and practical steps. She listens for patterns that keep people stuck and helps name the feelings behind those patterns. Sessions are oriented toward clear goals such as improving sleep, working through grief, or coping with substance use triggers.
Her approach draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside client-centered methods and cognitive-behavioral techniques. That means attention to emotions and relationship patterns paired with skills for changing thoughts and behaviors. Kathleen may also use ideas from dialectical behavior work and existential thinking when they fit a person’s needs.
She has experience helping with challenges like abandonment, communication problems, blended family stress, and caregiver strain. Kathleen also notes work related to body image, cancer impact, aging concerns, autism and avoidant personality features. The focus is on practical ways to reduce distress and improve day-to-day functioning.
Sessions are conversational and goal-minded. Kathleen encourages people to name what matters, try small changes, and notice effects over time. To begin, people who want to connect fill out a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session to discuss priorities and next steps.
How Emotion-Focused and Skills-Based Work Translate Online
Emotionally-Focused Therapy centers on identifying and naming emotions and relationship patterns that create distance or confusion. Online sessions can be used to explore those emotional responses and practice new ways of relating over time.Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a listening stance and putting the client's concerns first. In online meetings this looks like open conversation where the therapist follows the client's lead and helps clarify values and goals.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with concrete exercises and homework. It is useful for depression, sleep problems, and coping with addictive urges and adapts well to remote work because homework can be reviewed between sessions.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Kathleen will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, preferences, and daily life. That collaboration includes checking in and adjusting strategies as progress is made.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm available options when you sign up. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. If video is difficult, therapists and clients can discuss alternatives to make sessions work with daily routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
Iowa, Arizona
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with addictions, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, depression, and sleeping difficulties.
What therapeutic style does she use?
Her stated approaches include Emotionally-Focused Therapy, client-centered methods, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and existential ideas.
How much experience does she have?
She has 16 years of professional experience working with a variety of emotional and behavioral concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in Arizona and Iowa and is based in Iowa.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking by using the sign-up flow; the biography does not specify formats directly.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.