Kathryn Shafer, LMFT
Licensed California therapist focusing on practical parenting support
Explore online therapy options- Years in practice
- 10
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- California
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Family conflicts
About Kathryn
Kathryn Shafer is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with ten years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, and relationship and family concerns. Kathryn also works with issues around self-esteem, motivation, and life transitions.
She approaches clients with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Her sessions are tailored to each person. She listens first, then helps create a plan that fits daily life and real goals.
Background and approach
Conversations are practical and focused on steps people can try between appointments. Kathryn aims to support and empower people as they work toward change. Parents who are juggling multiple demands often find space to talk about the friction that comes from parenting, blended family dynamics, and shifting roles.
She also addresses career stress, body image and eating concerns, and feelings of isolation or shame. Mood-related problems such as bipolar symptoms, seasonal mood shifts, panic, and obsessive thoughts are within her scope of care. Kathryn brings a calm, steady presence to sessions and helps people weigh options when choices feel overwhelming.
She encourages small experiments and skills that can be practiced outside of sessions. The approach is collaborative: goals are set together and adjusted as progress is made. People seeking support for social anxiety, ADHD-related struggles, or young adult transitions can find concrete strategies and planning help.
Kathryn’s practice aims to make therapy a manageable part of a busy schedule, with clear steps and a focus on what will help most right now.
What Kathryn works with
Everything Kathryn lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Kathryn helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Communication problems
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Young adult issues
Evidence-based approaches and flexible online care
Many clients benefit from structured, evidence-based methods that focus on practical change. One approach emphasizes building skills for managing anxiety and stress through pacing, breathing exercises, and step-by-step exposure to feared situations. This helps people reduce avoidance and gain confidence in daily activities.Another common focus is improving communication and problem solving around relationships and family roles. This work involves practicing new ways to talk about needs, setting boundaries, and creating plans for shared responsibilities. That kind of work can ease recurring conflict and improve cooperation at home.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will listen to your goals and preferences, try techniques that fit your situation, and adjust the plan as you progress. Together you decide what feels most useful and practical for day-to-day life.
Online therapy offers flexibility for busy schedules. 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 or text-based messaging can work well for brief support, homework follow-up, or when writing helps you organize thoughts. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around parenting, work, and other commitments.
Questions people ask about Kathryn
What concerns does Kathryn commonly address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, self-esteem, depression, eating difficulties, parenting challenges, anger, career issues, bipolar and mood disorders, ADHD, and life transitions.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is respectful and practical. She listens first, then co-creates a plan with clear steps people can try between sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has ten years of professional experience working with a range of concerns in clinical settings and independent practice in California.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on the client’s preference.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Kathryn?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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