I’m Kathy
(Thank you, Mr. Adams!)
My early therapist career with inner city teens can best be described as “trial by fire.” Those kids taught me more about human development, the heartbreaking intergenerational impact of trauma, and resiliency than my four years of college.
I understood how nonconforming, self-harming behavior made sense in the midst of their challenging, and often frightening, life circumstances.
I was frustrated when professionals made the teens a “problem.” I wondered why people didn’t talk to one another across systems, yet saw how diagnostic labels travelled easily. I looked for a humanistic, collaborative path to healing when it didn’t exist in these settings.
While pursuing my PhD in Developmental Clinical Psychology, I discovered that my love of learning was insatiable, being a therapist was as natural as breathing, and direct experience was invaluable.
My training took me to high schools, psychiatric hospitals, group homes, wealthy suburban clinics, detention centers, school psychology services, and community mental health programs. I sat with people of all ages, races, social status, cultures, and levels of functioning who shared issues too numerous to name.
I moved to South Jersey to be a part of an innovative program which offered a new way of working with teens who had been abused, placed in multiple facilities, and viewed as too behaviorally disordered for residential facilities.
I opened programs, trained clinicians, and designed creative integrative plans. Working across systems, we creatively and respectfully helped these families. These years were intense, challenging, and deeply rewarding.
That surprised me and helped me realize I had placed the clients’ and staff‘s needs above my own wellbeing. When I stepped in as Executive Director, I became so responsible for everyone in my agency that I had forgotten something essential.
So I got serious about self nourishment, deep inner contemplation, and exploring a spiritual path. In the midst of this, a friend suggested an intuitive reading where I asked that oh so common question: “What is my life purpose?”
The answer was simple and shocking: “not what you’re doing now.”
Trusting my Soul
I OPENED A THERAPY PRACTICE BASED ON A MIND-BODY-SPIRIT MODEL.
When my spiritual exploration tilted my world view, it also bumped into my clinical path.
I witnessed the Soulful path interwoven with my clinical understanding of how trauma informed development and current functioning. I also discovered my intuition and how to empower others to discover this skill.
I didn’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.
I kept the best of my training, experience, and expertise while merging it with the Soul’s voice (my own and theirs). I did let go the emphasis on dysfunction and the expert clinician – dependent client dichotomy. As we partnered with this inner wisdom, we witnessed powerful transformation.
When a colleague suggested I explore the emerging field of Energy Psychology,
I found the idea of an influential energy system intriguing.
When a colleague suggested I explore the emerging field of Energy Psychology, I found the idea of an influential energy system intriguing.
It’s that simple. So many of my paths converged to help people awaken their own healing potential. My absolute favorite is Heart Assisted Therapy, but I really like them all.
(Especially ‘cause I can teach them to you.)
Diving into intensive training, I witnessed how Energy Psychology techniques empowered people to soothe anxiety, diminish the negative impact of trauma, and strengthen resilience. And how it naturally invited greater self-acceptance, reconnection with inner wisdom, and cultivation of a meaningful life.
I still love it. It feels as natural as breathing.
My life is enriched by the women I’ve been privileged to work with.
And I have so much more to explore and share with you.
I still love it. It feels as natural as breathing.
My life is enriched by the women I’ve been privileged to work with.
And I have so much more to explore and share with you.
If you’re ready for a conversation, I’m happy to talk with you. Let’s see if we’re a good fit.
