Cathy Nau, LMHC

Cathy Nau is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Washington with 29 years of experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, ADHD, and major life changes. She emphasizes meeting clients where they are and providing immediate support and relief while helping them define meaningful goals and take manageable first steps toward those goals. Her background includes work across the United States and overseas offering Military and Family Life Counseling, and she has experience addressing eating concerns including post-surgical weight management, the loss of a pet, and other forms of grief and loss.

Cathy approaches each person with warmth, care, and practical strategies drawn from evidence-based methods. She integrates techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy to tailor treatment to individual needs. Her style is collaborative and strengths-based, focusing on small, achievable progress that accumulates over time. Cathy welcomes teens through adults of any orientation and supports clients coping with career stress, caregiver fatigue, first responder and veteran issues, and a wide range of mood and adjustment concerns.

As an LMHC, Cathy holds a professional counseling license in Washington and combines clinical training with life coaching skills to empower clients as they move step by step toward their goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Cathy Nau uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her practice. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and focuses on taking valued actions - it is often useful for anxiety, stress, and navigating life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and unconditional positive regard so that clients can explore their experiences at their own pace and build self-understanding - this approach supports grief work, self-esteem, and relational concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors; it is commonly applied to depression, anxiety, and coping skills development.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Cathy works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She draws on her training and 29 years of experience to adapt techniques and co-create a plan that feels workable and meaningful.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility - clients can meet by video call or phone, or use live chat and text-based messaging when that format fits better with their schedule. These options make it easier to maintain consistent care around work, family, and other commitments while still accessing licensed professionals and a tailored therapeutic approach.