Kathleen Cates-Richardson, LMFT
Experienced Narrative-informed therapist
Details
| Name | Kathleen Cates-Richardson |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMFT |
| Based in | Iowa |
| Licensed in | Iowa, Arizona |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 16 |
About Kathleen
Kathleen Cates-Richardson is a licensed marriage and family therapist who draws on Narrative and client-centered approaches to help people untangle painful stories in their lives. She works with adults facing addiction, depression, trauma, intimacy concerns, relationship problems, and sleep difficulties. Her approach is practical and down-to-earth.
She aims to make the first steps feel manageable for people who are worried or overwhelmed. She brings 16 years of experience and holds an LMFT license in Iowa and Arizona.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on listening to each person's story and identifying patterns that cause distress. Kathleen helps people reframe difficult experiences and find small, realistic changes that fit everyday life. In sessions she creates a nonjudgmental space where feelings and thoughts can be shared openly.
She uses Client-Centered techniques to follow each person's lead and Narrative ideas to separate the person from the problem. Cognitive Behavioral tools and elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy are used when practical skills are needed for mood and coping. Her work also addresses issues tied to abandonment, adoption and foster care, aging concerns, autism spectrum traits, and caregiver stress.
Kathleen supports people dealing with grief, communication breakdowns, body image, and life transitions such as divorce or separation. She offers collaborative, goal-focused work that balances emotional exploration with concrete steps. People who want a therapist who listens and helps them try new ways of responding often find this style useful.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Addictions, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse among the things Kathleen works with, alongside the areas below.
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Depression
- Sleeping disorders
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Fertility issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Sex addiction
- Sexual dysfunction
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trichotillomania
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Jungian Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Kathleen among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Kathleen directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Kathleen directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and Skill-Based Work Translate Online
Many of Kathleen's methods adapt well to online formats. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and their relationships; online sessions give space to tell and rewrite those stories in regular meetings. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's perspective and uses empathic listening to help people feel heard and decide what matters most for change.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers concrete tools to shift thoughts and behaviors, which work well over video or phone when practicing skills and planning small experiments. Kathleen treats choosing an approach as a team effort - she will discuss options and tailor steps to the client's goals, preferences, and daily life. Together she and the client will try methods and adjust them when needed.
Online therapy offers practical benefits: video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues, phone sessions can fit into a break or require less bandwidth, and live chat or text-based messaging are useful for quick check-ins or ongoing support. These formats make sessions more flexible for work, caregiving, or fluctuating schedules while keeping the focus on steady progress and usable skills.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Kathleen address in sessions?
She helps people with addictions, relationship struggles, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, depression, and sleep problems. Additional areas include abandonment, adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, and communication problems.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her work blends Narrative and Client-Centered approaches to listen to each person's story and follow their lead. She also uses practical CBT and DBT tools when skill-building is needed.
What background and experience does she bring?
She has 16 years of professional experience and uses that time to guide collaborative, real-world problem solving. Her style balances emotional exploration with concrete coping strategies.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds an LMFT credential and is licensed in Iowa and Arizona. Her practice information lists Iowa as a location.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English. She also accepts international clients.
What formats are available for meetings?
Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. This allows for shorter check-ins or longer conversations depending on need.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model. The subscription can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Kathleen are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Kathleen where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
Or see other therapists in Iowa »
This is a partner link. We will earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no cost to you. It does not change what you pay or the order of the listings.
Other listings in Iowa
- Christine Topping, LMFT - Iowa
- Bradley Chamberlain, LCSW, CSW - Iowa
- Matthew Manz, LMHC - Iowa
- Lydia Frazier, LISW - Iowa
- All therapists for addictions »