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KP Portrait of Kathleen Petrak

Kathleen Petrak

Compassionate, practical therapy for everyday challenges

LCPC, LPC Texas

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Kathleen

About Kathleen

Kathleen Petrak is a licensed clinician in Texas who aims to help people navigating stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, career transitions, ADHD, and trauma.

Background and approach

With two decades of experience across community mental health, a pain management clinic, and long-standing independent practice, she brings a broad clinical background and practical perspective to therapy. Her work includes attention to mood disorders, communication and family problems, social anxiety, workplace issues, and concerns common in young adulthood and midlife.

Kathleen approaches therapy in a supportive, nonjudgmental way that centers on respect and collaboration. She blends client-centered principles with cognitive-behavioral strategies to help clients identify patterns, build coping skills, and set achievable goals.

Emotionally-focused and trauma-informed methods are also part of her toolkit when addressing relationship wounds or traumatic histories. She emphasizes partnership in planning treatment so interventions are tailored to each person’s needs and values.

How Kathleen’s Approaches Work Online



Kathleen commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered therapy when working with online clients. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and partnering with the client to build insight and personal goals, making it a good fit for those seeking a respectful, collaborative space.

Deciding which approach to use is part of the work together. Kathleen treats selection of methods as a collaborative process, tailoring interventions to a client’s concerns, goals, and personal preferences rather than assuming a single path from the start. She will discuss options and adjust strategies as progress and feedback indicate.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing clients to connect in ways that suit their schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain consistency in care during busy seasons of life, while still enabling practical skill-building, emotional processing, and coordinated goal-setting with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What types of concerns does she address?
Her practice includes stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family issues, parenting struggles, career and workplace problems, ADHD, bipolar and mood disorders, self-esteem and anger, and life transition challenges.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
She uses a supportive, non-judgmental style that emphasizes collaboration and respect, combining client-centered therapy with cognitive-behavioral techniques and drawing on emotionally-focused and trauma-focused methods when helpful.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of experience working in settings such as community mental health, a pain management clinic, and independent practice, giving her a broad base of clinical exposure.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds LCPC and LPC credentials and is licensed as NV LCPC CP5565-R and TX LPC 15429, practicing in Texas.
Does she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Costs vary by location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin therapy?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

Autism and Asperger SyndromeCommunication problemsFamily problemsIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Trauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

Texas, Maine, Utah, Nevada

Languages

English