Warm greetings! I'm Katie and I'm inviting you to talk- or play!- your way through stressful times, big emotions, and painful memories to feel lighter and more yourself. Reaching out is so brave, and I am here to work with you to create a safe space to explore and overcome your challenges, whether you are 5, 15, or 25. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Arizona, and I am passionate about working with children, adolescents, young adults, and parents. Pulling from over a decade of experience, I tap into how all pieces of an individual’s world show up in the therapy space and journey with youth, teens, adults and families through all of life's moments. (Yes, I absolutely love celebrating the wins too!) My practice is rooted in supporting all clients in feeling safe, seen, and valued. Therapy is a beautiful process of enhancing your voice and working on living your best life. I am thrilled you are here!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Therapy might be a new experience for you, or you are finding yourself looking for support again at this point in your life. Welcome! In our first session, we will spend most of the time having you share about what brings you or your child to therapy. You can share what you are ready to share; showing up in and of itself is incredibly brave! I will have some questions to guide us and help me learn more about your life, school, family, environment, etc. I may take a few notes, and we will review important consent paperwork too. For children, we will also play!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Being energetic, empathetic, and engaging are at the forefront of my work with clients. I absolutely love what I do, so I am energized and enthusiastic about welcoming clients in to therapy and walking alongside them as they journey through life. I also think I am warm and bring a fresh sense of humor and fun to sessions!
About Katie Johnson
Identifies as
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Play Therapy
Children communicate through play. I utilize child-centered play therapy, an evidenced-based therapy of engaging children at an age and developmentally appropriate level to support children in navigating emotions, problems, and thinking. Play supports children in understanding themselves and others too, and is a safe way to process their inner worlds. I have attended numerous trainings on the use of play in therapy, and have been conducting play therapy virtually for over four years. Play is energizing, empowering, and fun! Children love- and need- to play, and I bring my authentic self (and some toys!) to sessions.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
Emotionally focused therapy is a type of treatment method designed to support clients in becoming more aware of, understanding, and accepting their feelings. It goes beyond the therapist asking, "So how does that make you feel?" and implores the client to build on their emotion regulation and self-awareness. I support children, teens, and young adults in tapping in to those feelings, where they come from, and how it helps them make sense of their own self. It is empowering understanding how we feel- emotions are part of what makes us human!
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is how we understand our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, and how these three influence and intermingle with each other. I incorporate CBT into work with clients of all ages, helping to name themes, reframe the way we look at our experiences, and learn to shift inner dialogue. This is a common type of talk therapy, and is often weaved in through many of my sessions, because of its intuitive structure in supporting clients talk things out. CBT offers relief for those experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, self-esteem struggles, and so much more.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-informed care as a therapist means I am sensitive to the unique needs, culture, background, history, and way clients live their lives. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, understanding how all parts of clients' lives show up in the therapy space is at the forefront of my practice. I am incredibly mindful of every client's story, and sometimes that includes scary, life-threatening, hurtful, and traumatizing experiences. It is always the clients choice to share when they are ready, and journeying alongside a client as they navigate these experiences and systems is a genuine privilege as a therapist.