Dr. Keith Cates, LPC, LMHC

Dr. Keith Cates is a licensed counselor who focuses on practical, down-to-earth help for people coping with trauma, anxiety, and major life changes. He holds LPC and LMHC credentials and brings 16 years of clinical experience to sessions. He approaches work with respect, sensitivity, and an emphasis on what each person needs right now.

He often supports people dealing with trauma and abuse, compassion fatigue, stress, and post-traumatic stress. He also helps with self-esteem, career concerns, relationship and intimacy-related issues, sleeping problems, and depression. Additional focus areas include work with first responder and veteran issues, fatherhood concerns, and non-traditional relationship dynamics such as polyamory and kink-related matters.

His approach is collaborative and goal-oriented. He adapts conversations and treatment to match each person’s situation and preferences. That can mean short-term solution-focused work or more in-depth approaches to process traumatic memories.

Dr. Cates combines methods such as mindfulness practices, existential reflection, and EMDR when appropriate to address emotional distress and improve day-to-day functioning. He aims to support motivation, strengthen coping skills, and help people move toward a more satisfying life.

People who reach out can expect straightforward talk, practical strategies, and encouragement to try manageable steps between sessions. He emphasizes empowerment and steady progress rather than quick fixes.

Approaches that translate to online work

Existential Therapy helps people clarify what matters most and make choices that fit their values; it uses open conversation to address meaning, purpose, and difficult life decisions. EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - is a trauma-focused method that works on distressing memories and the reactions tied to them, often helping reduce the intensity of past events. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and grounding practices to reduce rumination and improve sleep and stress management.

Choosing a therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss your goals, preferences, and daily life to decide which methods to try first. Adjustments are common as work progresses, and the plan can change to fit what helps most.

The original profile does not list specific online session formats, so please confirm the available options before booking. Online therapy can make attending sessions easier to fit into work or family schedules, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when helpful. Licensed professionals can tailor assignments and mindfulness exercises to fit home routines and daily responsibilities, helping people build practical skills between sessions.