Katherine "Kate" McDonald, LPC, LPCC

Stress and anxiety
Addiction support
Mindfulness and ACT

About Katherine

Katherine "Kate" McDonald is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with 13 years of experience based in Colorado. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, addiction, mood and relationship concerns. Kate focuses on practical steps that help people manage day-to-day problems and move forward from difficult experiences.

Kate trained in forensic psychology and holds a master's degree from the University of Denver. Her work has been concentrated in community mental health settings where she supported adults with addiction, trauma, mood disorders, and anxiety. She has experience helping people cope with life changes, grief, parenting stress, and issues related to identity and intimacy.

In sessions she draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and Motivational Interviewing depending on what the person needs. These methods are used to address patterns of thinking, build coping skills, and create manageable behavior changes.

Kate listens and helps people set clear goals. She tends to work in a straightforward, practical way, breaking problems into steps and teaching skills to handle emotions, cravings, overthinking, or interpersonal conflict. She supports people dealing with PTSD, substance use, bipolar symptoms, ADHD, and sleep disruption as part of that work.

Outside of clinical work she has lived and worked in multiple states and has experience across diverse community settings. She enjoys outdoor time, knitting, and bullet journaling. People who want direct, skill-focused therapy for the challenges of early adulthood often seek her approach.

Therapeutic approaches and online sessions

Kate commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. ACT focuses on identifying personal values and taking action aligned with them while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. CBT looks at unhelpful thinking patterns and teaches practical techniques to change behaviors and reduce symptoms.

She also incorporates mindfulness techniques to help people notice thoughts and physical sensations without getting swept away by them. These approaches are often used for anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma responses, and stress related to life transitions common in early adulthood.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose which methods make sense based on their goals and preferences. That plan can change as progress is made or new needs arise.

Please confirm which online session formats are currently offered before booking, as the profile does not list specific delivery methods. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time so sessions can occur during a break from work or between classes.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions LGBT Trauma and abuse Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGrief Intimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesBody image Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shame Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Mood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Post-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobia Women's issues Workplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

13+ years

Listed in

Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma, relationship and family issues, grief, and concerns like self-esteem, ADHD, and sleep problems.

What is her therapy style like?

She uses practical, skill-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, CBT, DBT skills, mindfulness, and Motivational Interviewing to teach coping strategies and behavior change.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 13 years of experience working mainly in community mental health settings with adults facing addiction, trauma, mood, and anxiety disorders.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds LPC and LPCC credentials and is licensed in Colorado.

Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?

Sessions can include international clients, and she offers therapy in English.

Which session formats does she provide?

Please confirm current session options before booking, as the profile does not list specific session formats.

How does cost work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I start working with her?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.