Kathleen has been so great to work with! She is kind and patient. She's not afraid to ask the hard questions to make me think about other perspectives on the different situations that come up and I really appreciate that. Would definitely recommend!
Kathleen Cates-Richardson, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Kathleen is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 5.0 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Kathleen. View 8 reviews
- Great news, Kathleen is accepting new clients!
- She is normally fully-booked.
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Iowa and Arizona
Recent reviews
I was hesitant to try BetterHelp, because of difficult experiences with therapy in the past. Kathleen was the first therapist they connected me with, and she has been wonderful! Talking with her just feels like having a conversation, even when I’m talking about heavy and painful things. She made me feel comfortable right away, and she has the perfect way of gently redirecting/challenging my thoughts when they are a little self-destructive. I was diagnosed with PTSD by a previous therapist, and I never thought I would be able to process or heal from the event that caused it. It truly debilitated me, and I felt like I was barely living. Kathleen has created a safe space for me to finally begin to explore and heal this wound, as well as other wounds I hadn’t even realized were there! She has helped me relearn healthy boundaries and habits, and how to recognize when my thoughts begin to spiral. After years of just “surviving,” I’m finally starting to feel like I’m able to LIVE my life again! I am grateful to have Kathleen as my therapist while I continue my healing journey!
More about Kathleen
- 16 years' experience
- Female
- LMFT
I am licensed in Iowa, and Arizona with 16 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with anxiety, depression, grief, coping with addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & intimacy related issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
Specialties
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
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Jungian Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Kathleen Cates-Richardson's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1104062298.
- LMFT · Iowa · 000370 · Expires September 2026
- LMFT · Arizona · LMFT-16264 · Expires December 2026
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.
Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.
Reviews for Kathleen Cates-Richardson
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Kathleen has been so great to work with! She is kind and patient. She's not afraid to ask the hard questions to make me think about other perspectives on the different situations that come up and I really appreciate that. Would definitely recommend!
I was hesitant to try BetterHelp, because of difficult experiences with therapy in the past. Kathleen was the first therapist they connected me with, and she has been wonderful! Talking with her just feels like having a conversation, even when I’m talking about heavy and painful things. She made me feel comfortable right away, and she has the perfect way of gently redirecting/challenging my thoughts when they are a little self-destructive. I was diagnosed with PTSD by a previous therapist, and I never thought I would be able to process or heal from the event that caused it. It truly debilitated me, and I felt like I was barely living. Kathleen has created a safe space for me to finally begin to explore and heal this wound, as well as other wounds I hadn’t even realized were there! She has helped me relearn healthy boundaries and habits, and how to recognize when my thoughts begin to spiral. After years of just “surviving,” I’m finally starting to feel like I’m able to LIVE my life again! I am grateful to have Kathleen as my therapist while I continue my healing journey!
I've only had one true appointment, which was great!! A couple of things I really appreciate is that she messages on the therapy session page, has opened up later times to accomodate my work schedule. I appreciate her opinions and thoughts on the topics we have discussed
Kathleen is an excellent therapist. She listens with compassion, asks helpful questions, and draws from an understanding of the whole person to offer suggestions of strategies and tools for moving forward in new ways that make a difference for the better.
She has been great!
Great experience.
Kathleen is very knowledgeable, caring, supportive, and thoughtful
Professional, kind and courteous! Can’t imagine how much she has helped!
Frequently asked questions
Does Kathleen Cates-Richardson offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Kathleen Cates-Richardson works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Kathleen Cates-Richardson speak?
Kathleen Cates-Richardson speaks English.
How many years of experience does Kathleen Cates-Richardson have?
Kathleen Cates-Richardson has 16 years of experience.
Where is Kathleen Cates-Richardson licensed to practice?
Kathleen Cates-Richardson is licensed to practice in Iowa and Arizona.
Does Kathleen Cates-Richardson accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Kathleen Cates-Richardson does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Kathleen Cates-Richardson offer?
Kathleen Cates-Richardson offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Jungian Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Kathleen Cates-Richardson?
Kathleen Cates-Richardson can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Kathleen Cates-Richardson?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.