(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Katie Rella, LCSW, LCADC. I’m a therapist with experience working in outpatient, intensive outpatient, and substance use treatment settings. My approach is warm, collaborative, direct, trauma-informed, and grounded in evidence-based practices such as CBT and DBT. I strive to create a space where clients feel comfortable showing up as they are without judgment, pressure, or the need to have everything figured out. Together, we can focus on building insight, practical coping skills, emotional resilience, and meaningful change at a pace that feels manageable..
During our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and discussing what brings you to therapy. I’ll ask questions about your current concerns, personal history, relationships, coping patterns, and goals so I can better understand how to support you. You do not need to have everything prepared or know exactly what to say! Our first session is simply a starting point. Together, we’ll begin identifying patterns, exploring what may or may not be working in your life right now, and creating a game plan for what you would like therapy to look like moving forward.
My greatest strengths as a therapist are my ability to create a genuine, nonjudgmental connection with clients while also providing practical, evidence-based support. I balance warmth and validation with honest conversations, skill-building, and collaborative problem-solving. Clients often describe me as approachable, grounded, and easy to talk to, while still feeling supported in making meaningful changes in their lives. As a Doctor of Social Work (DSW), my clinical approach is informed by advanced training in trauma, mental health, substance use, leadership, and evidence-based practice. I regularly integrate CBT and DBT-based interventions to help clients better understand patterns, regulate emotions, improve relationships, and develop healthier coping strategies. My work is trauma-informed, affirming, and collaborative, with a focus on helping clients feel both supported and empowered throughout the therapeutic process.
I work best with clients who may feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, stuck in unhealthy patterns, or disconnected from themselves and others. Many of the individuals I support are navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, burnout, substance use concerns, identity exploration, or major life transitions. I especially enjoy working with clients who want a therapist who is genuine, collaborative, and down-to-earth while still providing evidence-based care. My approach is affirming, trauma-informed, and focused on helping clients build insight, emotional regulation skills, healthier relationships, and a stronger sense of self.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have experience using CBT with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, life transitions, and emotional regulation difficulties. My approach focuses on building practical coping skills, increasing self-awareness, and helping clients identify and challenge unhelpful patterns in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I am informed in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and have utilized DBT-based interventions for years in both individual and group settings, including facilitating a DBT-informed Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) group. I often integrate DBT skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness into treatment to support clients experiencing intense emotions, trauma-related symptoms, relationship difficulties, or self-destructive coping patterns.