Katie Long (She/Her/Hers)

My experience includes working with diverse populations, including specializing in working with transgender and gender diverse clients for over five years. As a gender affirming therapist, I've witnessed the pain that shame causes, as well as the healing power of strengthening self-compassion and developing shame resilience. There are many different reasons we experience feelings of shame, but shame almost always leads to feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, fear of vulnerability, depression, anxiety, and countless other difficult emotions. If any of these resonated with you, you are not alone. Shame says you are, "not __ enough," or that you are "too __". Utilizing parts work, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness and self-compassion techniques, we will explore the origins and triggers for your shame and help you to strengthen your self-compassionate narratives. We will build your feelings of worth, authenticity and self-empowerment to live with empathy and courage.

I am committed to an anti-oppressive lens in my work as a psychotherapist. Deconstructing shame, building self-compassion and promoting self-empowerment are not possible without recognizing and dismantling the systems that oftentimes create and perpetuate these narratives. As someone who is neurodivergent, strengthening self-compassion and deconstructing shame narratives and the systems that perpetuate them are concepts that I am passionate about and am honored to help others in. I believe therapy is a collaborative process, and I strive to create and uphold a space where each client feels safe to share their thoughts and feelings about the therapeutic process. If you are looking for an open-minded, compassionate therapist who sees and respects all aspects of your identity and growth journey, I would be honored to work together.