LMHC, 6 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Katya. I’m a mental health counselor who believes therapy should be practical, personal, and focused on real progress—not perfection. I work with individuals, families, and groups using a strengths-based approach that draws from Solution-Focused, CBT, and existential frameworks to help you move forward with clarity and purpose. Therapy is the process of gently amending the thoughts and narratives that keep us stuck—so the mind can slowly become mended, grounded, and more resilient over time. Healing isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about reshaping your internal landscape so you can rise with greater strength and self-trust. As a rock climber, I often think of therapy like a climb—each person’s path is unique, and progress sometimes means taking a moment to pause, reassess, and find your next hold. Whether I’m supporting a family in creating more meaningful connection or helping someone navigate a tough transition, my goal is always to help you build emotional strength and move toward healing. I enjoy working with all age groups and take pride in meeting people where they are, finding a shared language that makes the process feel collaborative and empowering. My work is grounded in the values of connection, family, and growth—both on and off the wall.
In our first session, we’ll focus on getting to know you—your concerns, your goals, and what brought you to therapy now. I’ll ask thoughtful questions to understand your history, current stressors, and the patterns you want to shift, while also giving you space to share at your own pace. We’ll clarify what you’re hoping to work on and outline what therapy might look like moving forward so you leave with a sense of direction and support. My goal is to create a grounded, judgment-free environment where you can feel comfortable, understood, and confident about the next steps in your healing process.
My greatest strengths lie in my ability to combine warmth, clarity, and practical tools in a way that helps clients feel both supported and genuinely empowered to change. I’m skilled at identifying core patterns quickly and translating complex emotional experiences into insights that make sense, without judgment or pressure. My approach blends evidence-based methods—like CBT, motivational interviewing, and supportive therapy—with a calm, grounded presence that helps clients feel safe enough to open up and explore deeper layers of themselves. I balance reflection with real-world strategies, giving clients both understanding and actionable steps they can use between sessions. Clients often tell me that I help them see things they’ve never noticed before, feel validated without being coddled, and make meaningful shifts that actually last.
I’m best positioned to work with individuals who are seeking clarity, emotional steadiness, and meaningful change—whether they’re navigating stress, anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, identity shifts, or simply wanting to understand themselves more deeply. I work with people at all levels of functioning, from those feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start to those who already have some tools but want deeper insight and consistency. What matters most is a willingness to grow, even if that motivation feels small, new, or uncertain. I support clients moving through life transitions, career pressures, grief, self-esteem issues, communication struggles, emotional regulation difficulties, and the desire to build a healthier relationship with themselves and others. My approach fits individuals who want a blend of insight and action—practical coping skills, compassionate reflection, and a grounded space to explore their internal world without judgment. Whether someone is trying to manage day-to-day stress, break old patterns, rebuild confidence, understand their emotions, or create a more aligned and intentional life, I provide a steady, supportive environment to help them amend what feels heavy and move toward a more balanced, mended way of being.
I use CBT to help clients identify and amend unhelpful thought patterns, teaching them to replace distorted beliefs with more balanced and empowering perspectives. Through structured cognitive and behavioral interventions, I guide clients in building practical coping skills that reduce symptoms and support long-term emotional regulation.
I use MI to strengthen clients’ intrinsic motivation for change by exploring ambivalence, affirming strengths, and collaboratively clarifying their personal values. Through a non-judgmental, client-centered approach, I help clients uncover their own readiness for growth and take aligned, self-directed steps toward their goals.
I provide a safe, grounded space where clients can process emotions, build confidence, and stabilize during periods of stress or transition. By offering validation, reflective listening, and practical guidance, I help clients feel seen, strengthened, and resourced as they work toward a more balanced and mended state of mind.