Katherine "Kate" McDonald , LPC, LPCC

Katherine "Kate" McDonald is a licensed counselor whose work is grounded in a respect for the inherent worth of each person. She approaches therapy with a belief that people have value just as they are, and she seeks to meet clients where they are by listening closely and offering steady support as they explore needs and goals.

Raised in Virginia, she completed undergraduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University and moved to Colorado in 2012 to earn a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of Denver. Since that time she has provided care in community mental health settings for adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds, concentrating on addiction, trauma, and mood and anxiety disorders.

Her clinical practice often draws from acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques, and she has additional training in Brainspotting to address mind-body aspects of trauma and difficult emotions. She holds counseling credentials including LPC and LPCC, which are professional licenses for practicing counselors, and she remains licensed in Colorado while also maintaining professional ties in the United Kingdom through registration with British counseling bodies.

Outside of clinical work she enjoys spending time outdoors with family and pursues hobbies such as knitting, bullet journaling, and tending houseplants. She recognizes how hard reaching out can be and brings a compassionate, nonjudgmental stance to her therapeutic relationships.

Therapeutic Approaches and Flexible Online Care

Katherine "Kate" McDonald commonly integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies into her online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify personal values and learn skills to live a meaningful life alongside difficult thoughts and feelings; it can be useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and self-compassion practices that support emotional regulation and reduce reactivity.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Katherine collaborates with each person to understand their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts methods from these approaches to create a customized plan that fits the client rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy with Katherine is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from varied locations and allow therapy to fit more naturally into day-to-day life.