Kathryn Shafer, LMFT - Therapist in California

About Kathryn

Kathryn Shafer is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with ten years of professional experience in California. She focuses on practical help for stress, anxiety, relationships, family concerns, and parenting. Kathryn emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion in her work.

She adapts conversations and plans to each person’s situation. Her approach is straightforward and goal-oriented. She talks through what matters most to the client and builds steps that feel doable.

Common topics she addresses include self-esteem, motivation, mood concerns, and managing life transitions.

Background and approach

Kathryn also supports people facing challenges like eating concerns, ADHD, bipolar mood issues, and panic symptoms. She has worked with blended family issues, communication problems, and the guilt and shame that often follow difficult choices. Other areas of focus include body image, impulsivity, isolation and loneliness, and young adult issues.

Kathryn also has experience related to veteran and armed forces issues. Sessions are shaped around each person’s needs rather than a fixed formula. Kathryn helps clients set clear goals and breaks larger problems into smaller steps.

She offers practical tools for coping with daily stress and for improving relationships over time. Clients who prefer a respectful, collaborative tone and concrete next steps may find her style helpful. She provides services in English and practices under the California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credential, CA LMFT 114178.

Therapeutic approaches suited to online family and parenting support

Many therapists use evidence-based techniques that focus on clear skills and real-life changes. One common approach teaches practical coping skills for stress and anxiety, such as breathing, grounding, and step-by-step plans to reduce worry. These techniques help when daily stress or panic make it hard to think clearly.

Another useful approach looks at patterns in relationships and family interaction. It helps identify unhelpful communication cycles and then builds new, clearer ways to talk and solve problems. This work is aimed at improving connection and reducing recurring conflict over time.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will listen to your goals and try options that fit your needs and preferences. Over a few sessions, the two of you will adjust the plan to find what helps most.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls support face-to-face conversation from home, phone sessions work for brief focused talks, and live chat or text-based messaging can suit people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy family schedules and to continue care when life gets in the way.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, parenting, self-esteem, depression, eating issues, anger, career matters, bipolar and ADHD among other concerns.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style is respectful and compassionate with a focus on practical steps. Conversations are tailored to the client and aim to create doable plans.

How long has she been practicing?

She has ten years of professional work experience providing therapy in clinical and community settings.

What are her credentials and where is she licensed?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CA LMFT 114178, and practices in California.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can she work with clients outside the United States?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How does payment and scheduling work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts

Also works with

Experience: 10 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

Next step

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