Katrin Otterness

Who isn't anxious right now? Sometimes anxiety is not meant to be "fixed" because it is communicating to you that something isn't right. Sometimes our body thinks an email is the same as a bear chasing us in the woods. No matter what anxiety stems from - I believe there are ways to tap into the body to combat overthinking and worry through mindfulness and holistic approaches.

With 6 years of experience working with children and adults on the autism spectrum, I have supported many teens and adults in navigating their neurodivergent self-discovery. While I am unable to OFFICIALLY diagnose ASD, I can facilitate an in-depth exploration that will allow deeper understanding and trust in your neurodiversity. Let's talk about what unmasking looks like for you! Let's explore how to stop shaping yourself to fit into society and instead see how society can accommodate you!

I aim to create a safe space where you can be vulnerable about core wounds that affect your confidence and trust in yourself. I approach self-esteem with creativity, care, and curiosity. While self-esteem issues can be challenging to navigate, what an exciting opportunity to find and create the person that you want to be and that you can be proud of!

At the core, I believe that you are the only expert on your life and that your internal experience is valid. Therefore, I let you guide us through topics that feel important and support you in that exploration. I am more than happy to help steer the boat by suggesting certain topics or deeper explorations, but I will NEVER tell you what you "should" work on. I do not believe you need to be "fixed", but instead simply reconnect with yourself.

Oftentimes for self-aware folks, thinking more is not going to be helpful in recovering from overthinking. I believe it is extremely important for everyone, but especially people with anxiety and trauma, to reconnect to their bodily experiences. This may look like attending to physical needs or examining how emotions feel in the body and finding ways to respond somatically through movement, breath, or mindfulness.

Oftentimes, traditional talk therapy is only going to fuel the "thinking" fire for over thinkers. I believe it is extremely important for everyone, but especially people with anxiety and trauma, to reconnect to their bodily experiences. This may look like attending to physical needs or examining how emotions feel in the body and finding ways to respond somatically through movement, breath, or mindfulness.

A key part of my approach is recognizing how systems at large effect individuals. In recognizing, we shift shame and blame from the individual onto the more realistic causes of challenges. In almost every situation, you are not to blame for your circumstances. You have learned to act and behave in order to survive and it is important to honor how that has kept you safe and protected, but may not be serving you anymore.