KMM Counseling (Keys To Mindful Mending)

I feel it's most beneficial to have a brief Initial phone call prior to meeting a new client so I'm able to gain an understanding of their primary struggles and they're able to gain insight into my style of therapy, to determine if they feel we could be a good fit. The therapeutic bond a client develops with their counselor is an extremely important component to the client achieving success in therapy. This is a researched fact known as "the therapeutic alliance".

I'm an empathetic counselor who relates well to many different personalities and age groups. The best compliment for me personally is when I hear my clients describe me as "real" or "authentic". The reason for that is because it means my "true self" as a "person" is being demonstrated, which is incredibly important to me. I want my clients to understand that I will not judge them, regardless of what they convey, that I feel privileged that they feel they can trust me, not only with their innermost fears but also in my ability to potentially help them get to a "better" or more peaceful place so they feel more grounded and secure within themselves.

We all go through difficult moments in life. We all make mistakes. None of us are perfect (nor should we have to be). And that includes myself as well. I prefer to think of therapy as a forum where a client comes to seek guidance, I listen to help provide an understanding of the problematic issues and perhaps suggestions on where/when/how it "occurred", but then I find it beneficial to move beyond that space in time and utilize a "teaching, tool-based" therapeutic technique. This component of counseling is valuable because it enables my client to feel empowered with coping skills and resources to use IF they hit one of those "speed bumps" on their life journey in the future.

I think of myself as a Navigator; definitely not as a person who "knows how to fix" someone. Each person has or can be taught many ways they can help themselves; I'm simply the Navigator who chooses to walk by their side until they feel steady enough to walk on their own. And my door will Always be open. When a client feels strong enough to stop having counseling sessions, I do make sure I communicate they are welcome back whenever they feel the need, even if it's just for a quick tune-up.

On a final note about my personal approach, I will say I'm a bit more unconventional than many therapists (i.e. I try to only act "ultra-professional" when I have to such as at a convention with colleagues or when I'm formulating new business relationships with community members or giving a presentation... You get the point.) In MY counseling sessions with YOU... I'm just Me and prefer you to be just you. Feel free to show up in pajamas. It's all good. My office is the one place in life I want people to know they can feel safe to be just be as they are in that moment. I'm not going to judge a soul. Besides, I"ll likely be wearing slippers also if it's at the end of the day :)

As I said, I am caring and empathetic. I am genuine and sincere. I will work extremely hard for any client who is willing to work hard as well. But, my qualifiers are such: I will not work harder at anyone's "recovery" than they are working for themselves. Meaning, it's important for each client to care enough about helping themselves and doing the work involved in achieving growth in change and I am not going to work harder at helping a client become well if they're not invested enough in themselves to do the work also. HOWEVER, I work beyond compare for ANY client who truly is willing to do the work. It's you're life and you're work to do. I'm just there for guidance and support. And trust me, I did my work, walked the walk. A person HAS TO WANT to feel better and commit to doing whatever it takes to achieve that in order for counseling with Any therapist to work. Which leads me directly to my next point (eek, lol)..... I'm also "gently direct". I will say the tough stuff that no one likes to hear (including myself about myself!) I get it. But if I held in my true impressions, my client wouldn't benefit or grow/change, etc. Little progress is made unless we can hear and accept "the real deal". So, I don't sugar coat. But I'm also not AT ALL mean in my approach. The reality is this: I do care. People who take the risk to tell me the "real deal" are the people I've noticed care the most in my world. The people who say Nothing, are the ones who actually may not care as much.

NOTE: I realize I'm taking a fairly sizable risk by even including this information in my profile because the written word can be misinterpreted, but there is no need for concern. I have a ton of therapeutic knowledge and consider myself an excellent counselor, but at the same time, I make mistakes and "not so good" decisions almost every day also. I find the key to succeeding at this "life stuff" is to learn about awareness, acceptance (without judgment) and then commitment (to make a mental note to form a plan to change the behaviors that are causing the pain). 

I speak on a regular level and don't use a lot of "professional jargon", I'm pretty casual and down to earth in sessions, my clients tell me they don't feel I'm even observing or analyzing them when we talk and I'm just sort of relaxed. I value humor and laugh a ton with my clients.

The bottom line is I'm good at my job because I truly enjoy doing it every single day. And I have met some amazing people over the past 10 years who I have likely learned just as much from as they have hopefully from me. 

I hope to meet some of you along your way through life. Whether I do or not please know this, regardless of what you're going through Right Now, it does Not have to "define" your identity. You're "problem" is not "Who you are"; it's what you're experiencing which is affecting you in THIS moment. ALL of you have as many or more strengths then you do weaknesses. Learning to embrace those strengths can pull you out of very dark places. 

Remember, most counselors go into this line of work because we "know what we know" .... ya know? Meaning "we all ride the bus" sort of thing. I joke around and tell people, "I'm not just the hair club President, I'm also a Client". LOL Best of luck to all of you. Call if you feel I can help you. 224-428-3074. It would be my honor!

Warmly,

Katie

I have a two Masters Degree; in Education & Counseling; both with a GPA of 4.0. I consider myself a lifelong learner so I'm also planning to achieve my Doctorate in Clinical Psycholgy in the next few years. I'm board certified and attend continuing education courses frequently as a requirement for my licenses.