We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katherine Scott, M.Ed/Ed.S, LMFT a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Katherine , so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
Optimism has a tendency to slip into an all-or-nothing perspective. Those who mindfully lean into optimism can experience a sense of wrongdoing if they have a few rough days, or struggle to recognize the vulnerable fears that accompany being human. Throughout my life’s journey, I have sat with my relationship with optimism not only professionally, but personally.
As a mental health therapist, it is within my theoretical framework that people are inherently good, and have the capacity for healing and self-actualization. The premise of therapy is to aid others in their quest for these, and navigate the obstacles that obstruct their path to living their best lives. But, if I were to say it simply, life is fluid, and that is the greatest celebrator of optimism. Not many things are promised to us, yet change is a guarantee. Personally, leaning into the fact that change is our constant companion inspires hope, regardless of the trials and tribulations that may arise. My optimism is fueled by my privilege to witness growth firsthand as I am apart of other’s healing journeys. It is nurtured by the power of vulnerability, the raw courage of embracing authenticity, and the bravery to live life out loud.
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?
I am the assistant clinicial director and lead Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at a private practice lovingly known as Puzzle Peace Counseling. Here, our niche is working with individuals and their families on the Autism Spectrum, as well as broad Neurodiversity. While I work with people in most walks of life, some of my focuses include family therapy, parenting, attachment, Gottman-focused couple’s therapy, grief, comorbid OCD, Neurodivergent-affirming psychotherapy, young adults, grief, and anxiety. I also have a passion of serving as an educational advocate to those within my community. I lean into an experiential theoretical orientation and view healing as something that can be accessed through many other modalities outside of traditional talk therapy, as growth occurs not only in the mind but also the body and soul. I recognize the importance of learning the nuances of another’s ‘language’ and experiences of their world. Personally, writing is my outlet and authentic way of processing my ‘world’. With this said, I have a blog called ‘Kat the Counselor’ of which I share tid-bits and tangents from both sides of the therapist chair. I share therapeutic worksheets I have created and utilize with my own clients. Furthermore, I have written a social-emotional children’s book about a therapist’s take on a true story about a therapy dog, the power of friendship, and resiliency. While my worksheets are available on my blog’s website, my book is available through Amazon.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
If I had to narrow down the three most impactful pillars to my journey thus far, I would say empathy, stubbornness, and curiosity. It is incredibly easy to fall victim to a sympathetic viewpoint of others and their experiences. Sympathy keeps us at arm’s length to vulnerability, contributing pity to someone’s cry for connection. Instead, I have made it a mindful practice to pause and sit with empathy as I encounter those immersed in their own stories, challenges, and perspectives. Empathy begs for recognition, for the relation that we are all human and this life can be a hard one. Empathy leaves room for imperfection. Empathy makes sure love is never left behind. As a woman, stubbornness has saved me more times than I can count. The act of being stubborn gets such a bad rap, however I believe our proclivity to rest behind judgement contributes to this. To me, to be stubborn is to be courageous. To have faith in your goals, your values, and the things that light your soul on fire. Stubbornness aided in my ability to rise above the noise from ‘peanut galleries’ telling me why I would fail, and helped me lean into grace and faith that has propelled me into a version of myself I celebrate authentically.
Curiosity is the lighter fluid for hope. Even on the darkest of days, the pesky quality of curiosity is the motivator. If we are left with nothing but a curious twinge to our souls, this is our promise to ourselves to keep on trying. Exploring. Questioning. Growing.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Overwhelm has taken on a whole new meaning this year as I have stepped chaotically into motherhood. There is a dance to juggling the onslaught of responsibilities of raising a child, propelling a career forward, prioritizing a marriage, and somehow still cultivating spaces for your own ‘stuff’. Overwhelm can be suffocating, panic-inducing, and shame-spewing. My advice? Lean into your people. Your safe spaces. Let down that brilliantly strong mask of yours from time to time and let yourself feel it. Let yourself be loved despite the mess. Seek out therapy. Go outside and remind yourself that the world is bigger than the one your mind is stuck in. Nourish your body, feed your soul, and remember this time has the promise of change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katthecounselor.com/
- Instagram: katthecounselor
- Facebook: The Tail of a Trio
