Katherine Fairhurst, Ph.D, LPC, NCC, ACSM-CPT
Supporting identity shifts through life's major transitions.
Life is full of transitions, and even positive changes can leave us feeling uncertain, disconnected, or wondering who we are now.
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with a PhD in Sport & Exercise Psychology. While I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, and life challenges, I'm especially passionate about helping people navigate major life transitions and the identity shifts that often accompany them.
You may be an athlete whose sport no longer defines your daily life. You may be leaving military service, law enforcement or emergency services and trying to redefine yourself outside the uniform. Perhaps you're entering midlife, approaching retirement, changing careers, becoming an empty nester, or simply recognizing that you've outgrown the life you've built.
These seasons often involve grief, uncertainty, and loss alongside hope and opportunity. Together, we'll explore who you are beyond the roles you've held, reconnect with your values, and build a meaningful path toward what's next.
My approach integrates evidence-based counseling with principles from sport and performance psychology to help clients develop resilience, navigate change with confidence, and create lives that feel authentic and purposeful. I believe therapy isn't just about getting through difficult seasons—it's about using them as opportunities for growth and transformation.
If you're standing between who you've been and who you're becoming, you don't have to navigate that journey alone.
With more than 15 years of experience in elite sport and fitness environments, I bring a unique perspective to counseling that bridges mental health therapy, performance psychology, and physical wellness.
Education, Credentials, and Specializations
Ph.D. in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
Specialized training in:
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Mental performance for athletes and high performers
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Sport and team dynamics
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Exercise and mental health
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Weight management in exercise settings
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Exercise is Medicine principles
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia with advanced training in:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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Motivational Interviewing
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Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Therapy Services in Virginia
Through Cloud Break Therapy, I provide individual counseling and telehealth therapy for clients throughout Virginia. My goal is to help clients strengthen mental wellness, improve performance and resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity, balance, and confidence.