Katherine Shafer

Welcome! Taking the step to begin therapy is an empowering choice, and I am here to partner with you on that journey.

Hi, my name is Kat and I am a Deaf therapist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), I bring both professional expertise and deep cultural lived experience to my practice. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling Psychology in 2018. My clinical journey began in a residential setting before transitioning into specialized outpatient therapeutic environments. Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals spanning a wide age range—from children as young as 5 years old to adults navigating end-of-life care.

Together, we can work toward healing, self-discovery, and lasting empowerment.

Every individual deserves a supportive space to discover their inner resilience. Minority populations—and the Deaf community in particular—have historically faced systemic oppression and barriers to accessible care. My primary goal is to foster an environment where you feel fully understood, respected, and empowered to take control of your story.

While I draw practical techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), my work is rooted first and foremost in a Person-Centered framework. This means:

• You are the expert on your own life: We work collaboratively at a pace that feels comfortable and right for you.
• Direct Communication: Therapy is conducted in your preferred mode of communication, ensuring seamless, barrier-free connection.
• Strength-Based Growth: Rather than focusing solely on a diagnosis, we focus on identifying your inherent strengths, building healthy coping tools, and navigating life transitions with confidence.

Your initial session is a welcoming, pressure-free space designed to help us get to know one another:

We will build connection through your preferred communication mode, ensuring you feel comfortable in the space, and establish standard privacy and confidentiality guidelines.

• We will explore your story through talking gently about what brought you to therapy, what challenges you are currently facing, and what you hope to gain from our time together.
• Together, we will outline initial goals tailored to your strengths and discuss how we can work at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

I support clients across the lifespan facing a broad spectrum of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, identity exploration, and relational struggles. Whether you are seeking support for your child, navigating personal challenges as an adult, or processing grief later in life, I offer a compassionate, culturally affirmative space tailored to your unique journey.

Together, we can work toward healing, self-discovery, and lasting empowerment.