Cathy Nau
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field, including psychotherapy and life coaching. Throughout my career, I've helped individuals navigate trauma, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. I also have experience supporting individuals through weight loss surgery and the emotional and behavioral changes that accompany it. I recognize that everyone comes to therapy with unique experiences, strengths, and challenges. My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative, grounded in a humanistic philosophy that values each person's individuality and capacity for growth. I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and somatic approaches, tailoring our work to your individual needs and goals. Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. We'll talk about what brings you to therapy, what you're hoping to gain from our work together, and any questions or concerns you may have. There's no pressure to share everything at once. My goal is to help you feel comfortable, heard, and supported as we begin building a trusting therapeutic relationship. Outside of therapy, I have a deep love of nature and animals and have been actively involved in cat rescue and fostering, particularly with senior cats and those with special medical needs. These experiences have reinforced my appreciation for compassion, patience, resilience, and the meaningful connections we share. As an animal lover myself, I also understand how profound the grief of losing a beloved pet can be.
First session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another, explore what brings you to therapy, and discuss what you're hoping to gain from our work together. There's no pressure to share everything at once. My hope is that you'll leave feeling heard, understood, and comfortable knowing that we can move forward together at a pace that feels right for you.
Strengths
I bring many years of clinical experience, genuine curiosity about people, and a deep appreciation for the complexities of being human. My professional and personal experiences have taught me that life doesn't always unfold as we expect and that even the most resilient people sometimes need support, understanding, and a new perspective. My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in a humanistic approach that recognizes each person's unique experiences, strengths, and capacity for growth. I believe therapy should be a place where you feel comfortable being yourself, exploring difficult emotions, and talking openly without fear of judgment. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Some days, you may simply need someone to listen, hold space, and help you process what you're experiencing. Other days, you may benefit from thoughtful feedback, practical strategies, or a gentle challenge that helps you recognize patterns and consider new possibilities. I adapt my approach to your individual needs, your readiness, and what feels most helpful to you in the moment. I strive to be both compassionate and honest, offering encouragement and support while helping you explore thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors that may be keeping you stuck. My goal isn't to tell you how to live your life, but to help you develop greater self-understanding, recognize your strengths, and feel more confident making choices that align with what matters most to you. Above all, I want our sessions to feel like a genuine partnership where you feel heard, respected, and supported as we work together toward meaningful change.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward. You may be navigating anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, or significant life transitions. Perhaps you're questioning long-held beliefs, struggling with self-esteem, or finding that the ways you've coped in the past are no longer working for you. I have a particular interest in working with individuals who are considering weight loss surgery, preparing for the procedure, or adjusting to life afterward. Weight loss surgery is a journey that extends far beyond physical changes. It can bring challenges related to body image, emotional eating, self-esteem, relationships, and personal identity. Whether you're preparing for surgery, navigating unexpected emotions afterward, or working toward long-term behavioral changes, I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space to explore your experiences and develop strategies that support your emotional well-being. I also enjoy working with adults navigating different life stages, including major transitions, changing relationships, grief, and the search for renewed meaning and purpose. You may come to therapy with specific goals, or you may simply know that something in your life isn't working. You don't have to have everything figured out before we begin. I work collaboratively with clients who want to better understand themselves, explore patterns that may be keeping them stuck, and discover new ways of moving forward. Whether you need a supportive space to process difficult emotions, practical strategies, or thoughtful feedback and gentle challenges, we'll tailor our work to your individual needs and readiness for change.
Treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have used DBT in my therapy as a way to validate, support and collaborate with my clients emotional experiences and then together we will come up with tools/coping skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have used CBT for clients that are needing more structure in looking at how their negative thoughts may be influencing their emotions/behavior.
Somatic
I may use somatic therapy with clients to help them connect their emotions to their “physical body.” The goal is then focusing on a more integrated connection with the body and the mind which can assist in alleviating their many stresses which present as extreme anxiety.
Eclectic
My bottom line and the reason that I chose eclectic as one of my treatment modalities is that I have used many different therapies over my 25+ years of providing therapy. I try to work collaboratively with my patients so that we, together can figure out what works best.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- WashingtonLicense MHC.LH.00007536