Hi. I’m Kate.

(she/they)

Research (I love research!) has shown that the most healing thing about therapy is the relationship between you and your counselor. So I think it’s only fair that you know a little bit about me.

I was born in the Midwest, but I have lived in Portland since I was seven. I like to think this gave me the best of two worlds—epic snowball fights and summer nights catching fireflies as a kid…gallons of quality coffee and tons of artisanal weirdness as a grown-up.

I’m a great cook and a terrible-but-dedicated gardener.

My Hogwarts house is Ravenclaw (okay, so…I’m also a bit of a geek. Don’t get me started on JK Rowling, though.)

Before becoming a therapist, I worked in graphic design. I still have a passion for color, typography, and the Oxford comma. (Alright, so I’m maybe more than a bit of a geek.)

In my free time, I make art, read books, cook delicious food—sometimes while blasting dance music—and am down for pretty much anything that lets me splash around in or on a body of water.

What’s therapy like with me?

I draw on both my life experiences and my training in sessions. I practice a relational, attachment-based therapy supported by interpersonal neurobiology, mindfulness, emotion theory, and other techniques appropriate to the needs of my clients.

My practice is firmly rooted in intersectional feminism and social justice. This means that I talk about power dynamics, societally-enforced roles & rules, and systems of oppression such as racism, ableism, homophobia, and capitalism—while continuing to do my own on-going work to address and dismantle the impacts of these systems on myself.

I also recognize that the experiences, strengths, and expertise you bring into our relationship are powerful tools. I look forward to learning what you bring to our work together.

Which is all a fancy way of saying that I will walk alongside you in your pain, laugh with you in your delight, and gently challenge you in ways that support your self-insight and healing—while highlighting and working on behalf of your rights to dignity, equality, and justice.

I use a lot of humor. I mix a lot of metaphors. I will sometimes drop some science. And I have a deep trust in your innate capacity and wisdom.

The Formal Stuff (Or, how do I know this Kate person is legit?)

I received a Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling from the Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. I’m also a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), which meant passing a really long test that included statistics and other math-related things that hurt my brain.

I’m in Level 1 trained in Eye Motion Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and am Level 1 trained in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). My experience with interpersonal neurobiology includes a year-long advanced immersion training with Bonnie Badenoch, PhD, LMFT.

I belong to the American Counseling Association and served on the board of its state branch, the Oregon Counseling Association.

I’ve volunteered as a peer counselor and mediator at Burning Man since 2006.

IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS

I don’t provide 24-hour crisis services. If an emergency arises, please call 911, the Multnomah County Crisis Line (503-988-4888) or call or go to any local emergency room.