Katarina Wittekind

My Story

I come from a long line of healers: mothers, nurses, therapists, and faith workers. Strangers often tell me, “I don’t know why I just shared all that with you.” I think this happens because I am genuinely interested in people. Sharing who we are and what we think, feel, and believe can be extremely vulnerable. So, I feel honored when anyone feels comfortable enough to share a piece of themselves with me.

I received my bachelor’s degree in social work from Warren Wilson College in 2015 and my master’s from Western Carolina University in 2020. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and have almost a decade of experience working with people living with addiction, mental health challenges, and intellectual disabilities.

In middle school, I struggled socially, feeling like I was compromising who I was to fit in. I was changing my body to be accepted, wearing clothes I didn’t like, hanging out with people who did not share my values, and not feeling good about myself in the process. I then realized the longest relationship I’ll ever have is with myself.

When you’re growing up, no one tells you the secret that nobody “has their shit together.” We all ebb and flow between feeling like we have our shit together and feeling as if our lives are unraveling. There’s beauty in that mess. When we find the capacity to be brutally honest, open, and raw, we see that the stories we tell ourselves about being alone or being broken are not true. I aim to foster relationships with my clients where they feel safe to authentically show up for themselves.

I use polyvagal theory and other somatic-based approaches to foster mind-body awareness and offer tools to find a greater sense of safety and social connection. I also use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to further explore how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence our lives. I am certified in dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which utilizes mindfulness to explore how to regulate ourselves in times of stress and develop healthier boundaries and communication in relationships. I use attachment theory to help people understand why they may be repeating patterns in their relationships. I have my 200-hour yoga certification for behavioral health professionals through Subtle Yoga. I also look to art, nature, and movement to embody and explore the dynamic ways that we experience healing. I have participated in several workshops focusing on advocacy for the LGBTQA+ community and continue to expand my knowledge in this area. Therapy is a place where you can hit the pause button: celebrate and/or grieve what you are letting go of; slow down and get intentional about how you want to move into your next phase; and give space to your emotions.

In my spare time, I enjoy getting outside as much as possible to hike, camp, dance, play a sport, or lay on the beach. I love a good craft project and anything involving food—growing it, cooking it, and eating it with friends. I do not have any animals because of my love of travel and spontaneity. I am happy being a proud auntie to many dogs, cats, and ducks.

I specialize in:

• Grief

• Life Transitions

• LGBTQIA2s+

• Trauma

• Relationships

• Identity Exploration