Katie Harrison

Welcome, I have been a mental health counselor since 2011. In that time I have worked with diverse groups of people in a wide array of settings. I began practicing therapy during my graduate program in the counseling center through a graduate assistantship. Working at the university provided me a unique opportunity to practice therapy with individuals during a pivotal stage of development when many are expected to function as an adult, yet be treated in many ways as a child. Once I finished with my degree (2013) I stayed on at the university counseling center part time, and was hired on at a children’s acute psychiatric facility (ages 4-17). There, I provided individual, group, and family therapy to my patients. While there I also conducted assessments on patients exhibiting sexually maladaptive behaviors and determined the most appropriate and safe placement upon discharge. Through my work with children and families in an acute setting, I witnessed the impact generational trauma has on individuals and families. I have a deep understanding of family systems and attachment theory, and how to begin and work through a way to heal. I value the process of my clients learning how to navigate their lives with insight into how their past experiences influenced their attachment style so they are better able to identify and meet their needs with more ease and confidence. I opened my private practice in Springfield, Missouri in 2018 when I realized the real need in my community for a secular clinician specializing in sexual and gender identity and religious trauma. Springfield is referred to as “the buckle of the Bible Belt,” and the overlap of LGBTQIA+ folks who suffer from religious trauma (like many other places in the world) is staggering. Many of my clients have emerged from puritanical upbringings, and/or Covid, feeling ready to explore their sexuality and gender identity. I believe everyone deserves a space to be heard with compassion and free from judgement. I approach each client as an individual with unique needs who deserves respect and to be treated with dignity and compassion. With experience and empathy I validate and process struggles with a client so as to clear a path forward with less pain, shame, and fear. When someone can come to session with an open mind and a willingness to explore their thoughts and feelings with me (even in unconventional ways) amazing insights can come into focus. With that comes confidence in the client’s own ability to recognize their needs and realize their goals. I enjoy working with those motivated to makes changes and improve their own reality. Sometimes this means big leaps and brave actions and other times it means major shifts in perspective. I am so glad that you are here and look forward to meeting with you!