Katie Bickley
I work with adults who are experiencing OCD, PTSD, trauma, and relationship frustrations. A lot of people I see describe themselves as high functioning but there is an internal struggle of questioning what needs to change in their life or relationships. I offer a warm, welcoming environment to explore these questions and I am neurodivergent affirming and LGBTQ+ supporting. My approach is trauma informed, collaborative, and grounded in respect for autonomy and lived experience. Fear of judgment from a therapist is a common concern and while I might challenge certain narratives or beliefs, I draw my responses from a place of curiosity.
I work to listen deeply to both your words and your nervous system responses, paying attention to patterns and emotions that may be shaped by past experiences.
Sometimes I hear people say, "...I know that sounds crazy" or they apologize for the words they use. I want therapy to be a place where you can show up as you are. I am difficult to offend and I am not listening to your words so I can judge how you express yourself. The important thing is for you to just say what you need to and we will go from there. Please note: I am unable to prescribe medication, assess for ADHD/ADD, or write ESA letters. Many times, a psychiatrist can help with these pieces. Although this platform offers AI options, I will not utilize AI for your care.
First session
When you schedule a first session with me, I will send you a message with details about Texas regulations, Grow policies, and answers to some questions you might have. When we first meet, we will spend time discussing what led you to seek therapy while identifying goals that feel meaningful. I will ask questions to better understand your background and I will invite you to share thoughts about current concerns as we go. As we end the session, I will sometimes provide a suggestion or idea to consider afterward. You are then free to re-book with me or I can provide referrals of other providers if that is what ends up being best for you.
Strengths
Compassion, curiosity, and inquisitiveness. I want to understand who you are, uniquely.
Ideal clients
I greatly enjoy working with adults of varying ages for individual counseling. I appreciate however people would like to show up in the therapy room and I have no "ideal" person or client in mind. It is important to me that you feel that we are a good fit after we meet, but that does not require anything of you.
Treatment methods
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
I have been trained in the use of ERP. I use ERP to help people gently face the fears or anxieties that affect behavior. This is a type of therapy that works particularly well for OCD. Together, we identify instances that trigger distress and then practice approaching them in a systematic way. Over time, this helps your brain learn that you can handle discomfort and that the fears lose their power. I additionally use Habit Reversal Training if needed, a form of therapy that is often utilized for skin picking, hair pulling, and other body focused repetitive behaviors.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
I have been trained in the use of Prolonged Exposure Therapy. I use prolonged exposure therapy on single instance PTSD events. This type of therapy involves us working together to gradually evoke the traumatic memory while desensitizing your brain to it. That will allow heightened trauma symptoms to be reduced and it will also enable you to change your behavior.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have been trained in the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I use ACT to help clients build a more flexible and compassionate relationship with their internal world. We practice noticing uncomfortable emotions and thoughts with acceptance while focusing on actions that align with personal values.
Location
Virtual sessions