Katherine "Kate" McDonald , LPC, LPCC

Katherine "Kate" McDonald is a licensed counselor who centers her work on respect for each person’s inherent worth and dignity. She approaches therapy with an emphasis on meeting people where they are, listening closely, and offering steady support as individuals explore their needs and goals. Kate frames her role as a collaborator who helps identify practical steps forward while honoring each person’s experience.

Kate holds the credentials LPC and LPCC - LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor and LPCC stands for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - and she has built a career focused on community mental health. She grew up in Virginia and completed undergraduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University before moving to Colorado in 2012 to earn a master’s degree in forensic psychology from the University of Denver. Since then she has worked primarily with adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds, specializing in addiction, trauma, mood disorders, and anxiety.

Her clinical practice commonly draws on acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques, and she is trained in Brainspotting to address the mind-body effects of trauma and intense emotions. In 2021 she relocated to the United Kingdom and serves as a counsellor for the National Health Service while maintaining her Colorado licensure and membership in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Outside of her professional work, Kate enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with family, knitting, bullet journaling, and caring for houseplants.

Approaches for Online Therapy and Practical Support

Katherine "Kate" McDonald commonly integrates acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices into her online work. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying personal values and building psychological flexibility so people can take meaningful action even when difficult thoughts and feelings are present - it is often helpful for anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) emphasizes identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; it is widely used for mood disorders, anxiety, and many day-to-day challenges. Mindfulness-based techniques teach present-moment awareness and self-compassion, which can reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation in situations such as trauma recovery and chronic stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Kate works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors interventions over time and invites ongoing feedback so the work remains relevant and practical.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility in how people connect - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy schedules or long-distance arrangements. These options support consistent access to therapy, help maintain continuity across life changes, and allow therapists and clients to focus on tangible strategies and skills that can be used between sessions.