Kate Sciandra (she/her)

I believe in healthy sexual expression among consenting adults, however that manifests and I am prepared to support you and your partner as you explore this component of yourselves as a couple or as individuals.

Religious trauma is complicated! It involves so many parts of who we are, how we identify as individuals and as part of communities. I am alert that those who have suffered religious trauma or been members of a high control group require special understanding and support as they work to define themselves in relationship to their history and to their future, including hurdles such as decision making, growing a social circle, addressing shame, and reframing their identity.

Connecting with clients whose anxiety interferes with their ability to live a full life, and leading them out of it into connecting with the world in a peaceful, confident, joyful way, is something that I specialize in and find deeply fulfilling. Using my expertise in quieting the anxious mind and body, my clients find themselves taking gentle, supported steps that free them from the chains that anxiety has created for them.

As the author of the internationally published book, The Mindfulness Habit: Six Weeks to Creating the Habit of Being Present, mindfulness is in my professional DNA. I start with easy approaches that work for you, your situation, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences to help you live more fully, more peacefully, and more clearly. I have taught specialized classes for anxiety, enhancing creativity, managing ADHD, and more. You will love what it feels like to have a quieter mind.

For over 20 years I taught and practiced a body/mind centered neuromuscular re-education technique and as a result, I am intimately aware of the power that being aware of, and using your body sensations, has on the release of tension, grief, trauma, anxiety, fear, and more. I bring my unique experience to the therapy room to help you embody and integrate your sense of well-being between body and mind.

Being part of a couple or other relationship is hard work, and as things change and challenges arise, having a space to work through issues, new or old, is something all couples need at some time. I use a combination of techniques, choosing those that fit you, to help you grow in your relationship, including Gottman techniques, Prepare/Enrich, among others.

Who we are is shaped by being part of a system: a society, a culture, and a family. Families fall into patterns that work for a while, but as every family faces change - aging, transitioning from one life stage to another, facing tragedy, or just dealing with the things that life throws at us - we all could use help with making that transition, creating a family structure that works for YOUR situation, YOUR unique family. I am looking forward to helping you with that.

Human sexuality is a normal and natural thing, and yours is as unique as your fingerprints. I am happy to help you as a couple or individual with understanding and negotiating the feelings and desires that you experience, without shame. I am able to understand and be with you in a supportive and constructive way as you delve into this part of who you are. I promise not to "yuck your yum".

Trauma work requires patience, but the rewards are enormous. You can get better! There's no silver bullet for resolving complex trauma, but the combination of talk, mindfulness, body-centered work, and other tools brings individual results to individual experiences. Let's celebrate every step towards healing, no matter how small. They add up to better living.