Hi, I'm Kate! I use the pronouns she/her/hers. I'm a Licensed Psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker guided by the values of human wholeness, connectedness, and social justice. In my practice, I'm passionate about serving new parents, those interested in intergenerational healing, and those who are curious as well as intentional about a path towards decolonization and liberation. I have held space for others in individual therapy and group support for twelve years.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
A first session can go a variety of ways, but in general, you can expect to feel heard, respected, and empowered. As a decolonizing therapist, I do not consider myself to be the expert of anything—rather, I am a partner to you in your process of self-healing and revealing or returning to a practice of wellness that works for YOU. I will do my best to explain clearly to you the modalities, frameworks, lenses, and techniques I am pulling from in the moment and overall; and, over time, I will also do my best to name to you your options in the moment and overall. You can expect to experience a therapeutic space and dynamic that acknowledges the power I hold as the therapist, utilizes that power safely, responsibly, and with your consent, and empowers you to make decisions about where the therapy goes.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
The deep sense of connectedness I feel with those I have had the privilege of working with fulfills me in ways that are hard to describe. I learn just as much from my clients as they learn from me. I see myself in my clients, and my recognition of our shared humanity is what makes me an effective therapist and trustworthy partner to you on your journey of healing and self-exploration. My style is to be affirming and relatable—we may not be friends, but don’t be surprised if you feel that way about me after working together for a while (and know that I probably feel that way about you, too!)
About Kate Viernes
Address
Cambrian, San Jose, CA, USA, 95124Appointments
Free consults, virtual & in-person
My treatment methods
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS, or "parts work" as I often refer to it, is a trauma-informed and evidence-based treatment modality that supports people in making behavioral change through increased self-awareness, self-curiosity, and self-compassion. It incorporates somatic and body-based awareness and techniques as well. It is my go-to modality working with all sorts of issues.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
I am naturally curious and affirming about how others relate to their cultural identities and how culture can simultaneously be an area for personal growth as well as a great strength. As a Filipina American and descendant of immigrants, I have gone through many evolutions in the way I relate to my own ethnic cultural identity. I also have a strong sociological and ethnic studies background, which means I am always viewing culture through a politicized lens that accounts for how an individual relates to the historical, contemporary, and internalized oppression of their various cultural identities.
Attachment-based
Processing our early attachment relationships (i.e. how we related to our caregivers when we were young) is a key part of understanding ourselves and social, behavioral patterns we see in ourselves later in life. I organically facilitate both attachment psychoeducation and exploration into most of my client work.
Racial trauma treatment
Racism, in addition to gender/sexuality-based hate and discrimination, are embedded into our society in countless overt AND covert/nuanced ways. These forms of oppression are insidious, violent, and intergenerational. I have lived and professional experience in naming, validating, healing, and converting racial and gender/sexuality-based trauma by integrating the modalities of IFS/parts work, somatic/body-based interventions, self-compassion practice-building, and community-building. If you are looking for a decolonizing therapist equipped to hold this important space for your healing, I would love to partner with you.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
I came to be trained in ERP, which is considered the "gold standard" evidence-based pratice for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), after learning how commonly intrusive thoughts (obsessions) spike for pregnant and postpartum populations. I love IFS for pregnant/postpartum populations and new parents, however, I have found that some people who struggle with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or full-blown OCD find the straightforward nature of ERP to be more transformative. I also love contrasting and blending ERP and IFS together to create a tailor-made treatment model for individuals who benefit from a bit of both for treating their OCD and/or anxiety.
