What is Kate's (Vanessa's therapist) connection to Richard in the novel, The Wife Between Us?

Kate is the therapist that Vanessa goes to see while she is still married to Richard. Kate is also the woman to whom Richard was married before he married Vanessa. Vanessa tracked her down to learn what Richard was like when Kate was married to him. When she sees Kate wearing the cuff style bracelet, similar to the one that Richard gave Vanessa to cover the bruises on her arms, Vanessa knows that Richard physically abused Kate as well.