Welcome! My name is Kate and I am a licensed clinical psychologist and I value creating a therapeutic space that is warm, respectful, empathic, and validating. I’m deeply committed to supporting individuals and couples as they tackle life’s challenges, with a focus on fostering growth, resilience, and connection. My approach blends expertise with humanity, tailoring interventions to fit your unique needs. As a psychologist, I strive to be your teammate in the healing and growth process, helping you uncover strengths, overcome barriers, and build a life aligned with your values and goals (and maybe even a few laughs along the way). For over six years, I honed my skills working at several VA systems, where I had the privilege of learning from incredible Veterans and colleagues alike. This included year-long specialty trainings in Prolonged Exposure for PTSD (PE-PTSD), Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD (CPT-PTSD), and the full-throttle, comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT and DBT-PE). Along the way, I was awarded the Outstanding Early Career Achievement, served as the Group Psychotherapy Coordinator, and worked as a comprehensive DBT team member at two VA facilities. These experiences didn’t just fill my 'toolbox'—they shaped my deep respect for the strength, complexity, and resilience of the people I’m honored to work with every day.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first appointment, I will ask you questions to better understand what is bringing you to therapy and what you want out of therapy (i.e., your goals). I'll encourage you, as I do with all my clients, to discuss only what you're ready to discuss. I might ask why you don't want to discuss a certain topic, but only so I can understand.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
While I am proud of the positive outcomes my clients have from therapy, I am most proud of the relationships we build. Many clients have told me that I feel like a close friend, albeit one who helps them do difficult things and is pretty funny (okay, okay, maybe some leave out that last part about me being funny). Jokes aside, I consider this career to be my calling and I am honored to be a clinical psychologist. I look forward to each day, whether we are doing a difficult trauma session, problem-solving depression and anxiety, strategizing family gatherings, or simply rating cats (my rescue Tabby, Chase, is a clear 10/10- I am confident you will agree).
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I specialize in treating trauma, including PTSD and complex trauma, using evidence-based psychotherapies such as EMDR, Prolonged Exposure for PTSD (PE-PTSD), DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR)—all delivered via video telehealth, so you can heal from the comfort of your favorite chair (bonus points if there’s a pet involved). In addition to trauma work, I also help folks navigating relationship challenges, ADHD, and life transitions like divorce, retirement, or returning from military deployment. I particularly enjoy working with LGBTQIA+ and Gender-Diverse individuals as they navigate the beautifully complex intersections of their identities, including gender identity and expression. Whether it’s embracing your authentic self, tackling societal challenges, or just figuring out how to deal with family dynamics at the next holiday gathering, I’m here to provide a supportive, affirming space to help you thrive.
About Dr. Kate Wilsey
Dr. Kate Wilsey offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Attachment-based
I incorporate approaches such as Attachment-Focused EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and other relational frameworks. These therapies allow me to address the deep-rooted dynamics of trust, self-esteem, and relationships. My approach is rooted in compassion, humor, and attunement, ensuring that each person’s unique developmental and relational history guides our work together.
EMDR
I am deeply passionate about incorporating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a powerful tool for addressing trauma and other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy has been shown to help alleviate symptoms associated with traumatic events, resulting in notable improvements. Specifically, improved sleep, more energy, less anxiety, improved emotion regulation, a greater sense of individual control, and fewer physiological symptoms of trauma all contribute to a better quality of life overall.
Couples Counseling
"I use Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT) to help couples navigate challenges by fostering acceptance and meaningful change—because love sometimes needs a little help (like with those quirky habits, including the occasional dirty dish). I specialize in working with couples who have experienced trauma, are neurodivergent, or identify as LGBTQIA+, offering an inclusive, affirming, and practical approach. By blending evidence-based strategies with compassion and humor, I help couples strengthen connections, enhance communication, and embrace the complexities of being human together."
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have several years of intensive, comprehensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), working with Veterans and Service members. My experience includes specialized training in DBT-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE), facilitating DBT skills groups, and delivering the full-model, comprehensive DBT approach. Over the course of two year-long trainings, I received 1:1 supervision and consultation to refine my skills and ensure I was delivering high-caliber DBT. Whether it’s distress tolerance or finding the middle path, I aim to equip Patients with tools to navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience—and maybe even a bit of humor along the way.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
I have been trained in both Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE). While both approaches are incredibly effective, I often lean toward DBT-PE—because who doesn’t appreciate a little extra humanity, respect, and warmth when tackling the tough stuff like complex trauma and PTSD? DBT-PE brings an added layer of compassion to the structured PE model, creating space for Patients to feel supported while confronting and processing their experiences. It’s like PE’s kinder, gentler sibling—still challenging, but with a cozy, warm blanket of validation along the way.