With both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Art Therapy, Katie has worked in various settings over the years, including with the elderly and with children and adolescents. From a young age, she loved making art and exploring the creative drive that would come over her when looking for a way to escape any challenges or conflict. As a child, she struggled with an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach, and not knowing what it was, she had to navigate and identify this feeling while finding coping mechanisms that would help her get through it. Little did she know at the time, she was dealing with anxiety. She soon realized that one thing that always helped her overcome her own anxious feelings was the process of making art. As she learned to do this for herself, which took a great deal of self-awareness and reflection, she wanted to help others discover the power of art making.

Outside the therapy room, Katie loves to listen to music and make art in her spare time. She also intentionally does things to reconnect with her inner child, which she feels helps inform her work as a therapist working with children and adolescents.

• Art as Voice for the Voiceless
  Often, before we can write or speak, we can pick up a crayon or a marker and put it to paper and create something that's expressive. Katie encourages clients to use the process of creating to be their voice when words may not fully express the current conflict they may be facing. Using art as a tool for expression can open up the lines of communication with fewer barriers, especially for children and adolescents who can often be overlooked or misunderstood.

• Emotion Regulation Through Creative Expression
  Emotions are a natural part of life, but learning how to manage them effectively can be challenging, especially for children and teens. Emotion regulation is the ability to understand, express, and cope with feelings in a healthy way. It's not about suppressing emotions but rather developing skills to navigate them with confidence. Through creative expression and therapeutic techniques, Katie explores emotions safely, builds resilience, and cultivates self-awareness.

• Reconnecting with Inner Child
  Katie intentionally does things to reconnect with her own inner child, which informs her work as a therapist. She understands that children and adolescents are still learning so much about how they fit into their external world while also doing a lot of introspection. They are learning to navigate peer relationships and develop more sophisticated communication skills. Her goal is to provide them with skills they can use to transition through the phases of life, beyond childhood and adolescence, in a safe and trusting space.