Meet Katie Stone

We were lucky to catch up with Katie Stone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Katie , we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
My personal journey with mental health challenges has been a driving force behind my passion for the work I do as a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. The profound healing and empowerment that comes from using my own experiences as a bridge to understanding and connecting with my clients is truly remarkable. Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD, I often felt like a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit the picture others had of me. Misunderstood by friends, family, teachers, and coaches alike, I was burdened with labels like “lazy,” “careless,” “too sensitive,” or simply “too much.” These tags became my identity, shaping how I viewed myself and my capabilities.

My journey took a pivotal turn at the age of 18 when I received an official diagnosis of ADHD. It was a revelation that changed the trajectory of my life. Suddenly, the pieces of the puzzle began to align, and I found solace in knowing that I wasn’t alone in my struggles. With the guidance of my psychiatrist and psychotherapist, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and learned invaluable strategies for managing my symptoms and nurturing my well-being.
Before my diagnosis, I leaned heavily on my intrinsic strengths and resources to navigate the challenges posed by my neurocognitive differences. Little did I know that these very strengths—emotional intelligence, creativity, and a zest for activities that brought me joy—were intertwined with my ADHD. Understanding the workings of my brain allowed me to reframe the limiting beliefs imposed by others and extend compassion to myself when mistakes were made. Instead of fixating on my shortcomings, I channeled my energy into leveraging my innate strengths.

For instance, grappling with “time-blindness,” a common ADHD trait, led me to adopt practical strategies like using kitchen timers and setting alarms to manage my schedule effectively. This shift from striving to improve my weaknesses to harnessing my strengths exemplifies the essence of working smarter, not harder.

Crucially, my own therapeutic journey has been a cornerstone of my resilience. Therapy provided a consistent source of support, accountability, and a nurturing environment to heal emotional wounds. I cannot stress enough the importance of seeking help for mental health struggles. To those facing similar challenges, know that you are not alone. Seeking support, whether through therapy, trusted relationships, or community networks, can alleviate the burden and foster resilience in the face of adversity. Remember, it’s okay to lean on others—it’s a strength, not a weakness.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Hi there! I’m Katie, a dynamic healthcare professional deeply dedicated to holistic wellness. Holding credentials as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Wellness Writer, Adjunct Professor, and Yoga Instructor, I bring a diverse range of expertise to my practice. As the founder of Katie Stone Wellness, I am honored to spearhead a boutique therapy practice devoted to fostering healing from the inside out.

At Katie Stone Wellness, we prioritize creating a nurturing and tranquil environment for individuals, families, and couples seeking therapeutic support. Whether you’re navigating the complexities of adolescence or adulthood, our doors are wide open to you. Our services encompass both in-person sessions at our coastal office suite in Redondo Beach and online therapy options, extending our reach to residents across California.

Central to my practice is the concept of holistic wellness, focusing on treating the entirety of a person, not just their symptoms, to achieve meaningful and enduring outcomes. I integrate yoga, mindfulness, and somatic awareness techniques to deepen the mind-body connection, enhancing the therapeutic process. As a therapist, I thrive on innovative thinking and creative approaches, tailoring unique strategies for each client’s healing journey.

Meeting clients with empathy and understanding at every stage of their wellness journey is paramount to me. By blending evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) with expressive art, mindfulness, and somatic techniques, I craft personalized treatment plans for each individual. My therapy space is inclusive, safe, and guided by a Health At Every Size® (HAES) framework, ensuring equitable and compassionate care for all, regardless of body size.

My educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Art Studio and Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Since 2016, I’ve been dedicated to supporting individuals grappling with eating disorders, disordered eating, negative body image, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges.

Outside of my therapeutic practice, I take delight in writing, painting, drawing, and immersing myself in nature. During my downtime, you’ll often spot me at the beach or cozied up with my playful Labradoodle, Ryder.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three pivotal skills/qualities that have profoundly shaped both my personal and professional growth are self-trust, healthy boundaries, and flexibility. Self-trust serves as my internal compass guiding me forward, while maintaining healthy boundaries ensures I stay aligned with my goals. Meanwhile, flexibility empowers me to navigate obstacles with resilience and adaptability.

Nurturing these attributes demands patience, consistent practice, and a willingness to tolerate discomfort inherent in the process of growth. Embracing imperfection is crucial, as it’s through our mistakes that we glean invaluable lessons. Perfectionism, driven by fear, is an unsustainable motivator. When fear creeps in, I redirect my focus towards what’s within my control and extend myself grace for the rest. I firmly believe that within every challenge lies an opportunity for self-discovery.

Recognizing my limitations, setting boundaries, and embracing flexibility are vital safeguards against burnout and pivotal for navigating unforeseen detours. Embracing change as the sole constant alleviates the pressure to micromanage every outcome.

Granting myself permission to falter has been liberating, particularly in the journey of establishing my own business. Reframing setbacks as growth opportunities and relinquishing control over the uncontrollable allows me to hone my self-trust and heed my intuition. Amidst chaos, listening to my body’s cues becomes challenging. Prioritizing self-care enables me to attune to my intuition by slowing down and creating space to connect with my inner wisdom.

For burgeoning professionals, my foremost advice is to honor your instincts and listen to your intuition. Anxiety often compels us to rush towards solutions for immediate relief. Embrace discomfort as a natural facet of growth and consciously navigate towards meaningful challenges. Distinguishing between anxiety and intuition is paramount; urgency typically signals anxiety, while intuition unfolds with a sense of calm clarity. Embracing pauses amidst chaos facilitates this discernment process.

How would you describe your ideal client?
In essence, my perfect client is anyone with even the faintest inkling of wanting to nurture a life of fulfillment. When someone reaches out for assistance, they’re already showing this spark of growth, and that’s all I need to see! From my years of practice, I’ve found that openness and honesty are the linchpins of therapeutic success. I’m dedicated to meeting my clients wherever they are on their path to healing. I recognize that for clients to embrace openness and honesty, there must be a bedrock of safety and trust in our therapeutic relationship. That’s why I emphasize the importance of working with a therapist you genuinely connect with and feel at ease around.

In my view, therapy should be dynamic, enjoyable, and action-oriented. I seek clients who crave more than mere “talk therapy” and are receptive to being pushed beyond their comfort zones. On every initial consultation call, I offer a simple caveat: “I’m here to root for you, but I’ll also push you when necessary.” I firmly believe that both insights and actionable steps are essential for progress in therapy. Insight without corresponding action is like a ship without a rudder.

Ultimately, my ideal client is someone eager to transition from merely surviving to wholeheartedly thriving.

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