Kathryn Shumate , LPC

Kathryn Shumate is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia with 40 years of experience. She focuses on practical help for people facing addictions, trauma, grief, and issues related to LGBT concerns. Kathryn aims to make it easier for someone to begin healing and to take steps toward a more satisfying life.

She creates a calm, nonjudgmental space where clients can talk through difficult feelings. Sessions are meant to help people sort out painful memories, manage cravings, or adjust after loss. Kathryn emphasizes listening first and then working together on what helps most in daily life.

Her background includes long-term clinical work that has covered many kinds of life transitions and stressors. That experience gives her a steady, patient approach when people feel overwhelmed or stuck. She commonly helps with caregiver stress, communication problems, and the challenges of forgiveness.

Many clients seek support for post-traumatic stress and recovery after abuse, and she brings a trauma-aware stance to those conversations. Kathryn also supports people who want to build self-love and stronger personal boundaries. She is comfortable addressing concerns specifically related to women’s issues when those come up.

In sessions she follows a client-centered way of working, focusing on each person’s goals and pace. People can expect straightforward conversations, practical steps to try between sessions, and ongoing check-ins to track progress.

Client-centered care delivered online

Client-centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding each person's perspective. The therapist offers acceptance and empathy while helping clients identify their own solutions. This approach is useful for people facing grief, relationship strain, self-esteem concerns, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Kathryn will collaborate with each client to figure out what feels best based on needs, goals, and personal preferences. That means trying strategies together, checking in about how they feel, and adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs. Video is useful for a fuller conversation and visual connection. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging allow for brief check-ins or ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent while managing work, caregiving, or travel commitments.