Meet Katie
Hi there! I’m Katie.
And I’m really glad you’re here.
I know choosing a therapist can feel weird. You’re basically scrolling through a bunch of strangers on the internet trying to figure out who you might actually feel comfortable talking to about your life. So, here’s a little more about me, how I show up in the therapy room, and what you can expect if we end up working together.
A little more about me
Therapist, but also a person.
In the therapy room
- I’m warm, direct, and not afraid to ask the hard questions.
- I care about the why, but I also want to know what we’re going to do about it.
- You will probably hear me say, “Okay, so what’s the game plan?”
- Humor is absolutely allowed in therapy.
- Fair warning: I swear sometimes. You’re allowed to, too.
Outside the therapy room
- Usually accompanied by at least one dog.
- I take my iced coffee very seriously.
- Tattoos, concerts, and true crime are very much my thing.
- I’m almost always reading, gaming, or halfway through a show someone told me I needed to watch.
- I have strong opinions about fictional characters.
How I Think About Therapy
Therapy should feel like a real conversation.
A lot of the people I work with already understand themselves pretty well. They know where some of their patterns came from and can probably explain exactly why they do what they do. The frustrating part is realizing that understanding something doesn’t automatically change it.
I can be direct sometimes. I’ll ask questions, point out patterns, challenge you when I think it might be helpful, and probably make you laugh at some point. But we’re also going to figure out what you want from therapy. I’m not here to decide what your life should look like for you.
I believe therapy should help you understand yourself better, but I also want that understanding to lead somewhere. Sometimes that means processing something painful. Sometimes it means learning a new way to cope, setting a boundary, changing a pattern, or figuring out what the hell to do next.
An Important Introduction
Meet Benny.
Unlicensed member of the Rella Counseling team.
Benny is my very enthusiastic sidekick, occasional session guest, and the unofficial morale department at Rella Counseling. He takes his responsibilities very seriously, especially if those responsibilities involve snacks, attention, or going for a walk. His clinical credentials are nonexistent, but his vibes are excellent.
The Professional Stuff
Credentials + training.
Education
Social Work
Master of Social Work, Fordham University
Doctor of Social Work, Tulane University
LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed in New Jersey + Pennsylvania
LCADC
Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor
Licensed in New Jersey
Additional training in EMDR + clinical supervision