- Client-centered approach
- Cognitive behavioral tools
- Trauma-informed work
About Kathleen
Kathleen Petrak is a Texas-licensed counselor - LCPC and LPC - with 20 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting stress, ADHD, and other life changes. Kathleen also addresses trauma and abuse, career concerns, self-esteem, and social anxiety and phobia.
She has worked in community mental health, a pain management clinic, and in private practice. That variety gives her experience with different kinds of problems and day-to-day concerns. Sessions focus on practical steps and straightforward conversation rather than technical language.
Kathleen uses a client-centered base combined with cognitive-behavioral techniques. That means she listens first, then helps people test new thoughts and behaviors in everyday situations. She also draws on emotionally-focused and trauma-focused ideas when those fit the concern.
In a session she asks about the problem, what has been tried, and what would be most helpful now. Work often includes short exercises, repeated practice, and checking what changes after trying something new. Progress is reviewed regularly so sessions adjust to what helps most.
The approach is collaborative: she and the person set goals together and pick methods that match those goals. People who find social situations, speaking up, or meeting new people hard often get concrete steps to practice between sessions. Kathleen explains tools plainly and focuses on usable skills.
How her approaches work for online sessions
Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and building a shared plan. The therapist focuses on understanding what matters to the person and uses that information to set goals and next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, actions, and feelings and offers practical exercises to try between meetings; it often helps with anxiety, mood, and social fears. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) looks at how emotions and patterns affect relationships and personal reactions and can be useful when strong emotions get in the way of connection.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kathleen collaborates with people to test methods and pick what fits their goals and preferences. She checks progress and changes course if something isn’t helping, so therapy is a joint process rather than a fixed program.
Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. These practical benefits help people maintain consistency with appointments and practice skills between sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Texas, Maine, Utah, Nevada
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, parenting stress, ADHD, trauma and related concerns including social anxiety and phobia.
What is her general approach in sessions?
Her style is client-centered with cognitive-behavioral techniques; sessions focus on listening, trying practical exercises, and reviewing what helps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience across community mental health, a pain management clinic, and private practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LCPC and LPC credentials and practices in Texas.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work together?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.