I do this work because I am passionate about supporting folks on their journeys to healing and becoming. I want to help you to understand all the things that make you YOU, and help you take steps toward living a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. I strike a balance between thinking, feeling (emotionally and physically), and learning to make room for the whole self.

I recognize that the individual does not exist outside of the influence of society; any challenges you are facing are the product of a person-environment interaction. While the challenges you are facing may be rooted in external experience, the only person who can heal you is you – I am here to remind you that what you are healing from is not all your fault and you don’t have to heal alone. 

I also believe that: 

  • Self-compassion is the prerequisite to taking accountability. The desire to change or evolve is often rooted in rejection: rejection of the self, rejection by others, rejection by a system. Before steps toward change can be taken, it is important to recognize where these rejected parts of self come from and what purpose they serve. And since the only thing you can control is you, even if your challenges are the result of interactions with all the systems around you, you are responsible for the work required to heal and become. 

  • Holding marginalized identities can be inherently traumatic. The system we exist in is designed for a very specific demographic and identities that deviate from that are sent messages that those parts of them are wrong. This can be deeply damaging, sometimes in ways you may not yet have words for but can only feel. I want to understand and help you recognize how the identities you hold are impacted by a system designed for someone else.

  • Language is powerful. It allows us to describe our experiences and be understood. Often, we experience shame and guilt around the challenges we face in life, taking to heart the beliefs “it’s all my fault” or “I am the only one who experiences this”. By finding the language together that best describes your challenges, you may come to realize these experiences are a lot more “normal” than you think; there may even be a word for it.

  • Connection is key. We live in a chronically individualistic culture, where we constantly hear messages like “you can’t be loved until you learn to love yourself” or “no one’s opinion matters but yours”. We forget that in our earliest years as a species, we survived as a group. We depended on one another for food and safety and regeneration of the population. It is a distinctly human experience to desire to be seen, understood, and accepted. Having a space where you are recognized and the deepest, most challenging parts of you given a safety they have never known can be a profoundly healing experience. 

My purpose at the Gaia Center is to meet you and whatever you may be feeling with compassion and unconditional acceptance in a space free of judgement. Together we will create space for those feelings and as a team, work towards healing and becoming.

I am especially interested in working with individuals who are neurodivergent, who have experienced trauma, struggle with panic, anxiety, depression or grief, those who are looking for a change or are hoping to do some self-exploration (be it sexual, gender, career, religious identity, etc.). I also love working with LGBTQ+ individuals and individuals/couples+ in non-monogamous/kink relationship structures. 

No two people are alike. Your journey to developing language, creating connections, finding self-compassion, and taking accountability will look like no one else’s. I approach my work through a trauma-informed lens that finds a balance between thinking, feeling, and learning and emphasizes the importance of connection and experience. I use evidence-based practices that feel the most productive, safe, and useful for you.

In our sessions, I may use Brainspotting, TF-CBT, IFS, ACT, DBT, humanism, existentialism, systems work, NVC, “Safe and Sound”, art, movement, or somatic approaches. Wherever you are beginning, I am excited to meet you there. Wherever you are going, I am excited to travel with you there. 

Human First:

When I’m not working, I enjoy rock climbing, dancing, spending time with my dog and plants, taking naps, cooking nice meals, eating nice meals cooked for me, and traveling the world.

Credentials:

Katelyn completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Vanderbilt University. She holds an NCC certification and is working toward full LPC-MHSP licensure, under the supervision of Valerie Martin, LCSW.

LET’S TALK:

Do you want to schedule an initial session or phone consultation with Katelyn M? Fill out the form on our contact page, or reach out to us at hello@gaiacenter.co or 615.270.8117 (call or text). We’ll respond within 24 business hours.

Like all Gaia Center clinicians, Katelyn is out of network with insurance (read our FAQ page for more on that). Her rate for an individual 50-minute session is $135 (couples: $155), and $200 for a 75-minute session (couples: $230). Katelyn reserves several reduced-fee spots for clients in financial need; you can inquire to see if any of these spots are available.