Real Help, Right Where You Are: Meet Katie Hoefer, Virtual Counselor for Missouri Women and Young Adults

Life gets busy. Between work, family, and everything else pulling at your attention, finding time to care for your mental health can feel impossible — especially if you live far from a counseling office. Katie Hoefer, a Licensed Professional Counselor with The Counseling Center at PCHAS, is changing that for people across Missouri.

A Foundation Built on Experience

Katie earned her counseling degree from Missouri Baptist University and has spent nine years working in the mental health field. Over that time, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults — giving her a broad understanding of how people grow, struggle, and heal at every stage of life. Two years ago, she made the move to fully virtual counseling with PCHAS, allowing her to reach Missouri residents no matter where they live.

Why Virtual Counseling Works

For many people — especially those in rural or underserved areas — getting to a counseling office just isn't realistic. Virtual therapy removes that barrier. Katie sees telehealth as a perfect fit for the women she works with most. "As women, there are many responsibilities and people to tend to," she says. "Telehealth is conducive to busy schedules both at work and at home."

Whether you're a working mom squeezing in a session during a lunch break, a college student in a small town, or a woman who has simply run out of margin in her day, virtual counseling meets you where you are — literally.

What to Expect in Your First Session

If you've never tried therapy before, it's natural to feel a little nervous. Katie makes the first step simple. In your first session, you and Katie will talk about what brought you to counseling and work together to build a plan that starts right where you are. No pressure. No judgment. Just a conversation about you and what you need.

All you need is a private space and a reliable internet connection. The rest, Katie handles.

Who Katie Helps

Katie helps a wide variety of people with different needs, and she is especially drawn to supporting  young adults stepping into the adult world for the first time and women of all ages who feel overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected from themselves. If you've ever thought, I should be able to handle this — but you can't quite catch your breath — Katie's work may be exactly what you need.

She also brings a unique perspective to clients who are people of faith. As a Christian counselor, Katie understands the tension many feel between seeking spiritual guidance and seeking emotional care. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside a faith-integrated approach (when requested), helping clients care for their spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being all at once. She draws a meaningful connection between CBT and Scripture — particularly the call to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind."

A Great Fit for You?

You might be a great fit for working with Katie if you are:

• A woman feeling stretched thin, burned out, or lost in the demands of daily life
  
• A young adult navigating big life transitions
  
• Someone of Christian faith looking for a counselor who understands your values
  
• A Missouri resident who wants flexible, virtual access to quality care
  

You don't have to have it all figured out before your first session. You just have to show up, virtually.

To scheduled an appointment, visit www.pchas.org/schedule-all or call (833) 208-3201.