Katherine "Kate" McDonald , LPC, LPCC

Katherine "Kate" McDonald, LPC, LPCC, is a clinician based in Colorado who brings a compassionate, values-driven approach to counseling. She holds an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor - and an LPCC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor - credentials that reflect formal state licensure to provide mental health care. Her work is guided by a belief in the inherent worth of every person and a commitment to meeting people where they are.

Kate 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 that time she has worked primarily in community mental health, offering services to adolescents and adults from diverse backgrounds. She has developed clinical expertise in addiction, trauma, mood disorders, and anxiety, and adapts her methods to fit each person’s needs.

Her clinical toolkit often includes acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. She has additional training in Brainspotting, a body-informed method used to address trauma and difficult emotional experiences. In 2021 she relocated to the United Kingdom and has continued professional work there while maintaining licensure in Colorado.

Outside of practice, Kate enjoys spending time outdoors with family, knitting, bullet journaling, and tending to houseplants. She acknowledges how difficult it can be to reach out for support and appreciates the courage it takes to begin.

Therapeutic approaches adapted for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose values-guided actions rather than getting stuck in avoidance. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and challenges related to life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to mood and anxiety symptoms, and is commonly used for depression, anxiety, and coping with difficult situations. Mindfulness-based techniques teach present-moment awareness and nonjudgmental attention to thoughts and sensations, which can support emotion regulation, stress reduction, and recovery from trauma and addictive patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist will collaborate with each person to explore which methods fit their goals, preferences, and daily life, and will adapt strategies over time to meet changing needs.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone conversations, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different routines and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from varied locations and to use brief or longer interactions according to what works best for the client.