Many of these clients were neurodiverse, including those with ASD and ADHD. Others were experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, gender/sexuality exploration, or difficulties with interpersonal relationships.

One of her greatest strengths is that Katie has experience in the “real time” when kids/teens are experiencing their hardest moments, whether she has been at school, at home, or at summer camp with them. De-escalating and developing proactive tips for behavior management is something crucial that she can bring to the therapeutic relationship. (Ex. She can help parents come up with strategies, provide helpful tips for school, etc). The effects of therapy do not end in the office. 

Katie does not just work with kids, teens and their parents. She also has experience working with adults that are working towards change in their lives. 

What does Katie do at the practice now?

• Individual therapy: Both in the office and virtually. 

• Parent Coaching: She is well-trained in Positive Behavior Support, which are strategies to support adults in managing behaviors in their children. With this knowledge, she is able to support the families of the children and teens she is working with to develop strategies to use outside of the office to navigate challenging behavior.

• Group Therapy:  Katie has supported neurodiverse teens in their preparation for “adulting,” through the practice’s therapy group, EmployU. EmployU is being tweaked a bit and is now called “Future Focused.” This group will meet once per month. Katie has also held parent support groups, particularly for parents that are learning to parent neurodiverse children. This group provides education and support from other parents that “get it.” This group typically runs one evening per week, for 8-10 weeks, in the fall. 

• Assessment: Katie is offering adult autism evaluations. Find out more about this process through this PDF.

What should I expect if myself or my child sees Katie for therapy?

Katie prioritizes clients feeling comfortable, authenticity, and showing up as you are. If you see Katie in person, she is usually wearing slippers (and some of her clients now bring slippers to sessions for ultimate comfort!), comfortable clothes, and drinking a SpinDrift. 

You can expect times that are serious, times where loud laughter can be heard through the doorway, but above all, a therapist that wants to work through whatever hardship brought you to therapy together. 

If you are a parent and Katie is seeing your child, you can expect monthly check in’s (at minimum). Katie sends an email out once per month with available times to meet. These meetings involve updates about treatment from Katie’s perspective, but are also a time for you to offer valuable information about things happening outside of sessions that Katie would need to know. Depending on your child/the content of the session, Katie may pull you in for the last ten minutes of a session for a recap. 

If you are a parent and Katie is seeing your teen, the above check in’s may be on  an “as needed” basis. Katie values teens having a space that they feel is private, so at the beginning of therapy, you, your teen, and Katie will talk about confidentiality and what will be shared in updates. Katie values therapy being a place where teens can feel a sense of privacy and trust. 

What is Katie like (when she is not working)?

When Katie is not practicing therapy, she can be found reading (usually fantasy), exercising, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves golden retrievers and Maine Coone cats :)