Clinician Highlight
Meet Katie!
Kathryn (Katie) McDonald (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Art Therapist (ATR-P).
Providing an eclectic, non-judgmental approach to therapy, Katie utilizes various therapeutic techniques to help clients achieve their goals. She offers the following therapies: art therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), solution-focused therapy, and grief interventions (based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt's six needs of mourning.)
In January 2014, Katie earned her Master of Arts degree in Art Therapy and Counseling at Ursuline College. She chose this path to help others who may not feel comfortable in traditional talk therapy settings, considering we are unique individuals with differing learning styles.
Katie offers appointments Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday through Telecounseling.
You can reach Katie directly at Katiemcdonald@kellercounseling.org
What is one of your Top 10 bucket list items?
“I want to continue traveling to famous U.S. landmarks. I will never forget a trip to Vegas, the Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon. My partner and I stayed at the Grand Canyon until after it was dark to view the night sky far away from any lights. We got lucky with a clear night and saw the Milky Way and an amazing number of stars. It was so beautiful and memorable!”
Would you rather have someone create a painting, song, poem, novel or movie about you?
“ I’d choose a painting, because it is the least intrusive option!"
What do you like to do in your spare time?
“I enjoy spending time with family and friends; playing with my dog; reading; watching stand-up comedy; and making art. Sculpture and throwing clay on the potter's wheel are my favorite ways to make art, but I typically draw, crochet, or paint.”
What could you give a 40 minute presentation on without any preparation, non work related?
“I'd probably share about ASMR, because it is a peaceful, soothing activity that is free--thanks to YouTube. ASMR means "autonomous sensory meridian response," which is a tingling sensation people experience in response to certain triggers, including whispering, accents, crinkling or tapping sounds, and much more. Many people listen to ASMR to help them fall asleep. Fair warning, I think the typical reaction to first encountering ASMR involves thinking that it is weird, which was my first thought, too. There are many types and styles of ASMR, so it helps to keep exploring until you find what you prefer. ASMR may not be for everyone, but I want to share about it for anyone who finds it helpful.”
What is your go to snack?
“Currently, I'm enjoying fruit and spinach smoothies. It is so interesting how you can add a handful of spinach, and it doesn’t taste any different than a fruit smoothie. “