About Kathryn
Kathryn Shafer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with ten years of clinical experience in California. She focuses on practical, everyday concerns like stress, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, and motivation. Kathryn speaks plainly and meets people where they are, helping them take small steps toward change.
Her approach centers on respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Sessions are shaped to each person's needs rather than a one-size-fits-all plan. She guides conversations so people can find clearer priorities and workable habits that fit their life.
Background and approach
Many clients come for help with family tension, parenting challenges, or blended family issues. Others seek support for mood concerns such as depression, bipolar mood changes, panic, or seasonal shifts in energy. Kathryn also addresses ADHD-related struggles like impulsivity and organization in practical ways.
She works with issues around body image, eating, guilt and shame, isolation, and social anxiety. Career stress, anger, and transitions such as major life changes are also areas she watches for and addresses directly. The work often includes short-term problem solving and longer-term patterns that affect daily life.
Kathryn aims to empower people rather than tell them what to do. She helps clients try new strategies, notice what works, and adjust plans over time. The goal is clearer choices and more manageable steps toward a life that feels better.
How Kathryn Translates Therapeutic Techniques to Online Care
Many evidence-based techniques are useful when delivered online. One common approach focuses on problem-solving and skill building to address anxiety and day-to-day stress. It breaks larger issues into clear steps and teaches specific tools people can use between sessions.Another helpful approach targets mood and routine. It looks at sleep, activity, and patterns that influence depression, bipolar mood shifts, and seasonal low periods. The work includes small experiments and tracking to see what changes help most.
Deciding which approach fits is a collaborative process. Kathryn works with each person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences rather than imposing a single path. She adjusts plans as progress and new information emerge.
Online therapy offers practical benefits for people with busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging make it possible to send quick updates, try brief exercises, or check in between sessions. These options make it easier to keep momentum and try new strategies without extra travel.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also listed
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Career difficulties
- Communication problems
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Young adult issues
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English
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