About Katie
Change begins with support. Through compassionate listening and grounded presence, Katie creates a space where your story matters and where clarity, connection, and next steps become possible.
Non-clinical coaching. Not therapy. Not crisis support.
Hi, I’m Katie, a non-clinical mental health coach who uses reflective storytelling, guided conversation, and nervous-system-aware pacing to help people make sense of what they’re carrying.
Another way to say it: I help people slow down, find the words, and take steady next steps without pretending there’s a shortcut or a “finished version” of you waiting at the end.
Important note: This is coaching, not therapy. I’m not a licensed therapist, and I do not provide psychotherapy, diagnosis, treatment, or crisis services.
The Difference in My Approach
In a world full of pop-psych soundbites and overnight coaching trends, I take a slower and more honest approach.
My work is rooted in:
- meaning-making (finding language for what’s true)
- values + integration (what matters now, and how you want to live)
- practical support (tools you can actually use)
- consent + pacing (we go at a speed that feels grounded)
I don’t position myself as an authority over anyone’s inner world. I’m here to help you reconnect with yours.
Whether you’re navigating grief, a major life transition, relational stress, or simply trying to feel more like yourself again, I walk alongside you with care and honesty.
What matters most is fit—working together in a way that feels safe, supportive, and aligned with your goals.
I also value knowing my limits. If something is outside my scope, I’ll be transparent and help you think through what kind of support may be a better fit. You won’t be led in the blind.
Philosophy & Mission
FAQs
What is That Friend Katie?
That Friend Katie is a non-clinical mental health coaching practice rooted in storytelling, reflection, and nervous-system-aware support. I walk alongside people who are navigating grief, loss, anxiety-related stress, and major transitions, helping them make meaning and reconnect with themselves at their own pace.
My approach is informed by lived experience, training, and years of listening to people tell the truth about their lives. I offer supportive coaching, practical tools, and reflective prompts not clinical assessment or treatment.
Do you worry about being seen as “a therapist”?
I’m intentional about clear boundaries. I’m a coach, and I’m not a licensed therapist. I don’t diagnose, treat, or provide psychotherapy.
What I do offer is a structured, supportive space for reflection, skill-building, and meaning-making. I don’t position myself as an authority over anyone’s inner world. I emphasize choice, pacing, consent, and self-trust.
Is there anything important I should know as I begin seeking support?
Yes: words matter, and different kinds of support come with different expectations.
If you’re looking for therapy, you deserve someone who can provide licensed clinical care. If you’re looking for coaching, you should expect a clear scope: education, reflection, tools, and accountability — not diagnosis or treatment.
If you’re unsure what’s best, I’m happy to help you think through what type of support fits your situation.
What level of transparency should I expect from someone offering support?
You deserve clarity about who you’re working with including their training, scope, and boundaries. If a provider’s role, qualifications, or services feel vague, it’s okay to pause and ask questions.
Transparency helps you make choices that feel aligned, grounded, and safe.
What are Living Story Projects?
Living Story Projects are a reflective storytelling process that helps you honor your story while it’s still unfolding. They often take shape during coaching through conversation, guided prompts, and creative reflection especially during grief, loss, transitions, or moments when you want to look back and see yourself with more compassion and clarity.
Sometimes the story centers on a part of you that survived something hard and wasn’t witnessed at the time. The goal isn’t to “fix” you. It’s to help you name what’s true, make meaning, and carry it forward with care. We move with consent and readiness and we can slow down, adjust, or stop at any time.
What do I need to do to get started?
Reach out with what you’re holding even if it’s messy or hard to put into words. Some people come with a specific situation. Others just know something feels heavy and want support making sense of it.
From there, I’ll guide the process through coaching conversation, reflection, and creative connection. We’ll move at a pace that feels safe and grounded for you.
What training organizations have you learned from?
I’ve completed trainings and courses through professional education platforms like NICABM, Sounds True, and Psychwire, which host instruction from experienced clinicians and researchers.
To be clear: these courses support my learning, but they are not a license or a clinical credential, and I do not present them as such. My work remains non-clinical coaching and educational support, not psychotherapy or treatment.
What do you mean by “grief- and trauma-informed”?
I use grief-aware and trauma-aware principles, meaning I’m mindful that loss, chronic stress, and past experiences can shape the nervous system, relationships, and the way we make meaning over time.
In practice, that means I prioritize choice, pacing, consent, and nervous-system-friendly support. I also take a systemic view considering family patterns, culture, relational dynamics, and lived context.
This is supportive and educational coaching, and it does not replace licensed mental health care.
What are the boundaries of the support you offer?
My work is educational and supportive, not clinical. I do not diagnose, treat, or provide psychotherapy, and I do not provide crisis services.
If you’re experiencing acute distress, active suicidal thoughts, or you need clinical treatment, I encourage you to seek support from a licensed mental health professional or emergency services. I’m also happy to help you think through what type of support may be most appropriate.
Services
Coaching, not therapy. Not crisis support.
In-Person Coaching Sessions (Seattle area)
We can sit quietly, talk through what’s present, or take a walk along the beach. Whether we meet in conversation or in shared silence, we’ll move at a pace that feels right to you.
Remote Coaching Sessions
If you’re not able to travel, we can meet online via a secure video option.
Between-Session Support (Planned Together)
Support can continue between scheduled sessions through secure messaging, based on a plan we agree on during your coaching sessions.
Please note: between-session messaging is not crisis support. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, call 988 or 911.
Get in Touch
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