Hello, I'm Kate

I began working in the healing professions in 2012 when I started my training to become a psychologist. I started my practice, Hollyhock Counseling, in 2019 to support adults seeking a trauma-informed and somatic approach to therapy. The name Hollyhock comes from a seed that requires fire to bloom, which is a warm reminder of how growth and healing often emerge from life’s most challenging experiences.

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As a therapist, I draw from relational, somatic, and mindfulness-based frameworks, tailoring each session to your unique needs and strengths. I see therapy as a collaborative, creative space where we can work to access your existing wisdom, interests, and resources to cultivate safety, connection, and transformation. My practice is integrative of many modalities such as:

 

• Somatic Experiencing

•  Mindfulness and meditation to support grounding, self-awareness, and exploration of the psyche

•  Restorative yoga and body-based regulation techniques

•  Attachment-based and feminist-relational approaches to explore patterns, safety, and identity

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I offer therapy for adults both in person and online. My office in Boone, NC, is located in a cabin surrounded by over 20 acres of land dedicated to integrating the calming and restorative qualities of the natural world into therapy. My practice LGBTQIA++ and neurodivergent affirming. I accept BCBS and Aetna insurance, as well as private pay. I offer superbills to clients with other forms of insurance.

I am grateful that being a therapist allows for deep personal growth and exploration, both for myself and those with whom I work. I’m currently pursuing my certification as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) with Somatic Experiencing International, a practice that is rooted in exploring the ways our bodies hold stories of both pain and resilience. I recently completed my Mindfulness Mentor certification through Banyan, an organization founded by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, whose teachings continue to shape how I bring compassion and gentle awareness into the therapy space. I received my yoga teacher certification in 2023 and love integrating restorative practice and ritual into therapy. Earlier in my career, I trained in EMDR through the EMDRIA Institute, an approach that has further strengthened my belief in the body’s innate capacity to heal when given safety and care.

 

Outside of therapy, I find grounding in slow, intentional living. Hand crafts such as knitting help me calm my nervous system and create something intentionally with my hands, while quiet walks in nature and cozy, foggy days in my mountain town bring me peace and inspiration. I can frequently be found running around outside with my partner and children.