Why I Started Cardinal Light Counseling, PLLC
Finding Clarity, Healing, and Growth in Online Therapy Across Virginia
When I created Cardinal Light Counseling, PLLC, I wanted to build a practice that reflects both who I am and what I believe therapy should feel like—grounded, collaborative, and focused on genuine progress.
I provide online therapy for individuals and couples throughout Virginia, including Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun County, Falls Church, and Merrifield. My work centers on helping clients find clarity in their emotions, strengthen their relationships, and create meaningful change that lasts.
The name of my practice—Cardinal Light—carries the story of that purpose.
The Meaning Behind “Cardinal Light”
Cardinal Light represents both the guidance we seek in uncertain times and the clarity that comes from understanding ourselves more deeply.
Cardinals hold deep symbolism—they’re often seen as emblems of hope, renewal, and vitality. Their bright color and year-round presence reflect energy and life that persist even in stillness or difficulty. For many people, seeing a cardinal carries an added layer of meaning—a comforting reminder of connection and continuity, or a sign that a loved one’s presence still endures in some way.
That same sense of steadiness and renewal mirrors what therapy can offer: the chance to reconnect with strength, perspective, and warmth, even when things feel uncertain.
The light in Cardinal Light represents clarity and understanding—the ability to see yourself and your path forward more clearly.
The phrase Cardinal Light also draws from the nautical term “cardinal mark.” In navigation, a cardinal mark is a beacon used to indicate safe passage. It doesn’t dictate a route; it helps you reorient when visibility is low. That reflects how I see therapy—not as giving directions, but as helping you find stability and insight as you move through change.
Therapy That Meets You Where You Are
At Cardinal Light Counseling, therapy is collaborative and goal-oriented. Sessions are conversational and practical—a mix of reflection and real-world strategies.
I work with:
Individuals managing anxiety, depression, burnout, life transitions, or exploring the desire to date
Couples (monogamous relationships and open/polyamorous relationships) working to rebuild communication, trust, or intimacy
LGBTQ+ clients seeking affirming therapy that honors identity and lived experience
Professionals and parents balancing high demands with personal well-being
You don’t need to be in crisis to start therapy. Sometimes, therapy is simply about understanding yourself more fully, communicating better, or finding clarity in the middle of change.
Specialties: Couples, Sex Therapy, and LGBTQ+ Affirming Counseling
Relationships shape much of how we experience life. When they’re connected and secure, everything else feels more manageable. When they’re strained, even small challenges can feel amplified.
I work with both individuals and couples to strengthen emotional connection, rebuild communication, and address the deeper patterns that affect closeness. My approach blends practical tools with genuine conversation—supporting growth that’s sustainable, not surface-level.
Sex Therapy: Strengthening Intimacy and Understanding
Sex therapy supports individuals and couples in navigating issues related to intimacy, desire, and connection. It’s not about performance—it’s about communication, trust, and understanding what gets in the way of closeness.
Common areas of focus include:
Mismatched desire or low libido
Sexual anxiety or shame
The impact of stress or trauma on intimacy
Exploring sexual identity or orientation
Reconnecting after distance or conflict
Explore how cultural and religious norms/values can impact one’s relationship with the topic of sex and overall comfort with sex
Each conversation is handled with respect and openness. The goal is to help clients build confidence, comfort, and closeness—emotionally and physically. Above all else, sex therapy can help people feel empowered in their sex life, experience healing, decrease rigidity around the topic of sex, decrease shame, identify one’s sexual wants and sexual needs, seek sexual pleasure, and try to make sex fun again for the individual/couple/all partners.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Work: Inclusive Therapy That Honors Your Experience
At Cardinal Light Counseling, PLLC, affirming care is central to my work with LGBTQ+ clients. I hold a commitment to creating a therapeutic space that is validating, respectful, and responsive to the realities of all sexual and gender diversity.
Here’s how that shows up in my approach:
Identity-affirming lens — I recognize that sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression are core parts of your story and your identity.
Safe exploration of identity and relationships — Whether you’re questioning, coming out, navigating transitions, or seeking deeper connection, therapy is a space where you can explore without judgment.
Awareness of minority stress — I understand how societal pressures, stigma, microaggressions, and internalized expectations can affect mental health and relationships with self and others. Therapy includes recognizing and addressing those influences, especially with relation to one’s experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Intersectional sensitivity — Your experience is shaped by more than identity alone—culture, race, faith, ability, and socioeconomic context often intersect. I strive to honor all of that in our work.
• Navigating dating and connection — Dating within LGBTQ+ communities can bring unique dynamics around identity, safety, and authenticity within the context of dating. Therapy offers space to explore attraction, boundaries, and healthy connection while staying true to who you are.
Relational work in queer partnerships — For LGBTQ+ couples, therapy may include examining power dynamics, communication styles, affirmation of each partner’s identity, and external pressures that affect intimacy and trust.
Collaboration and consent — We’ll work together to set goals that honor your identity, pace, and comfort. You are the expert on your life; I’m here as a guide and ally.
Why Virginia
Virginia is home — it’s where I have close friends, loved ones, and a community I care deeply about. Having lived and worked here, I understand how the pace and pressure of life in this region can affect mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.
Northern Virginia is known for its fast-moving, high-achieving culture — something that can make it difficult to slow down, connect, or prioritize self-care. Through Cardinal Light Counseling, PLLC, I want to offer a space for people in Virginia to pause, reflect, and find balance again.
I provide online therapy for individuals and couples throughout Virginia, including Fairfax, Arlington, Rosslyn, Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun County, Falls Church, and Merrifield. I also proudly extend services to clients across Central Virginia, including Richmond and surrounding areas.
With online therapy, clients can access the same level of privacy, consistency, and connection as in-person sessions — making counseling more accessible for those navigating busy, demanding lives.
Real Conversations. Real Change.
Therapy doesn’t have to be overwhelming or abstract. My approach is direct: listen, understand, and collaborate to create progress that feels steady and real.
I bring my real personality and self into the room because therapy works best when it feels human and genuine. I incorporate humor when it fits, help lighten heavy topics, and make difficult experiences feel more approachable and workable. Over time, as I get to know someone more deeply, I tailor each session to their personality, preferences, and goals — creating a process that feels individualized, not scripted.
Clients often come to therapy because something isn’t working — communication, balance, confidence, or connection. Together, we identify what’s happening, what’s needed, and how to move forward.
The goal is progress, not perfection. Therapy helps you build insight, flexibility, and resilience — so you can live and relate with greater clarity and intention.
Moving Forward
Therapy is about real people having real conversations that create real change. If you’ve been putting it off or waiting for the right time, that time is now.
I’m Steven Spatz, MA, LPC, founder of Cardinal Light Counseling, PLLC, offering online therapy for individuals and couples throughout Virginia — from Fairfax and Arlington to Falls Church, Alexandria, Loudoun County, Merrifield, Richmond, Charlottesville, and Virginia Beach.
My style is down-to-earth and genuine. We’ll laugh sometimes, tackle the hard stuff directly, and focus on what actually helps you feel better — not just theories or worksheets. Whether you’re trying to manage stress, reconnect with your partner, or better understand yourself, therapy can help you feel more balanced, confident, and connected.
👉 Take the first step today.
Schedule your consultation at www.cardinallightcounseling.com or email me: stevenspatz@cardinallightcounseling.com and let’s get started.
