Meet Kaitlyn Steel, LMFT
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Couples and Family Therapist in Virginia
– Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
– Board Approved Supervisor for LPC & LMFT Residents
Offering sessions Virtually to clients in Virginia
You deserve to feel accepted, valued, and deeply seen.
You have tried and tried to figure out how to communicate better, practice patience, and understand what is going wrong; yet you continue to misunderstand or be misunderstood, lose your temper, and feel like you may never figure this out.
Maybe you are:
- Talking to friends and constantly comparing your relationships to theirs
- Worried that if things don’t change, you’re going to continue to be unhappy or the relationship will have to end
- Feeling alone, deeply disconnected, and maybe even angry
- Constantly batting feelings of anxiety and worry, despite all the “techniques” you use that should work
- Trying so hard to communicate clearly…and still missing each other.
With my “human first” approach, I can help you (and your partner) gain a clearer understanding of your relationship, communication patterns, and break free from cycles that create further stress and tension, allowing you to communicate clearly, openly, and confidently look towards the future with each other. I can help you deepen your self-compassion, accept your whole story, and feel more hopeful for your future.
Reconnecting and Healing Through Relationships
My clients have described their experience with me is one of being accepted, valued, and deeply seen. They describe me as encouraging, accepting, and loving within the therapy relationship.
When you work with me, you will get a genuine human who understands that you are allowing me to see the hardest parts of your life. I do not take that privilege lightly. I often forget words as I’m talking (I’m human!); I enjoy letting joyful moments in therapy be present and welcomed.
When you work with me, you will get a therapist who truly wants to engage with all parts of you so together we can build the life that feels true and authentic for you.
I am not the kind of therapist who will hide my authentic reactions in session, and I don’t hide my present experience. I can often hear my chickens just under my window, my kids playing outside, or my dog warning the world about the “dangerous” leaf that just flew by!
I will not use worksheets or ask you to read books/articles as I don’t follow through with that either! I am not the kind of therapist who will “call you out” in a harsh way. That doesn’t mean I won’t confront you, but it does mean I will do it in a way that maintains emotional safety and do everything in my power to make sure you do not feel judged.
I believe being a therapist was what I was put on this earth to do. If you met me outside of the therapy room, you would likely see many of my same quirks and thoughts, just a little more “unfiltered.” I deeply value being authentic both in my role as a therapist and in all other roles in my life.
I strive to make sure that you – as my client – will have the opportunity to connect with who I am as a person as you allow me to journey with you to the life you are hoping to build.
Out-of-Pocket Fee: $250 per 50-minute session for couples/marriage therapy | $195 per 50-minute session for individual therapy
In-Network Provider: Aetna, CareFirst BCBS [pending], Carelon, Cigna PPO/Evernorth, Sentara/Optima, United/Optum, Quest
Certified Out-of-Network Provider w/ Tricare
Learning Healthy Cycles/Patterns
Healing Relationships
Overcoming Communication Issues
Improving Anxiety, Stress & Self-Esteem
Your Journey Starts Here
My Virtual Therapy Pets,
Duke and Tansy
Working With Me
You can be safe to show up completely as you are. You can face the hardest parts of your story with me walking right beside you. You can gain clarity, increase compassion, and improve communication with your partner.
You will find a supportive, collaborative space where you can feel safe, understood, and truly heard. I use Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) to help you and your partner better understand your patterns, face difficult emotions together, and rebuild trust and connection.
When I work with individuals, I also use an Emotionally Focused Therapy approach to help you explore your story with compassion — making sense of what you’ve been through, strengthening your relationship with yourself, and clarifying where you want to go next.
My goal is to walk alongside you with warmth, honesty, and care as you grow—both in your relationships and within yourself.
My Background
I am an Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy Certified Therapist (EFCT) from ICEEFT, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) from Evergreen.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Virginia (LMFT #0717001882) and New York (LMFT #D001595), and a Board Approved Clinical Supervisor for LPC and LMFT residents. I’m passionate about supporting residents and early-therapists in receiving good quality clinical supervision. I co-run our clinical supervision program, The Unmasked Therapist, with Kim Rippy, LPC.
I earned my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling from Capella University, and my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Christopher Newport University.
I began my career working at an outpatient treatment facility providing both mental health and addiction treatment. I worked with clients involved with the court system, Child Protective Services, Department of Social Services, Probation/Parole, and other local community supports. I began working with Keystone Therapy Group in early 2022 and have truly enjoyed the practice and the clients we serve.
Fun Facts!
I am a military spouse (Army) and grew up as a military child (Air Force) so I have personal experience with the unique struggles of military life and transitions.
I have lived in numerous states across the country as well as Japan and Germany. I have lived in the NOVA area off-and-on since 2006.
The Unmasked Therapist
Being a therapist requires a willingness to learn. Being a good therapist requires a willingness to grow. Being a great therapist requires full engagement in all aspects of their journey while maintaining a focus on their clients.
At Keystone, we believe that if our clinicians are supported, encouraged, and empowered, our clients will naturally receive high-quality care.
How I provide supervision.
I approach supervision through the Person-of-the-Therapist model, holding ethical knowledge and behavior in the highest regard. My supervision integrates direction, when needed, and processing to help clinicians make the best possible clinical decisions.
What do we do in supervision?
In supervision, we will review client tapes, reflect on clinician experiences, brainstorm ideas for handling difficult issues, and more. Growing as a therapist, especially early in your career, can be daunting, but with collaborative, compassionate supervision, I believe all therapists can grow to effect significant change in our clients’ lives.