About
Katy
Katy Childs, LPC, AAT
Animal-Assisted Therapist, Anxiety, Parent training and PCIT, Life Transitions, Frustration tolerance
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Nature enthusiast, Animal lover, Positivity Promoter
APPROACH
I am passionate about de-stigmatizing mental health. I provide a space to safely explore what each clients relationship is with their mental health, as well as provide guidance for clients and their families towards creating more understanding and tools to help improve it. I utilizes animal-assisted therapy while working with clients and believe that building a connection between animals and oneself allows the client to experience unconditional positive regard. This powerful relationship also provides comfort and regulation while working through hard emotions. I utilizes theoretical frameworks such as person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic to help clients work towards the best possible version of themselves.
PERSONAL
While living in Colorado, I have enjoyed spending my weekends in nature hiking, camping, and skiing. Now that I have moved back to Texas, I enjoy quality time with friends and family, reading, podcasting, playing volleyball, and spending time with my cat and two dogs. Most importantly, I am a Mental Health Advocate who strives to make a difference in the destigmatization of mental health and therapy.
EXPERIENCE
I earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology and a certification in Animal and Human Health from the University of Denver and an undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University (Gig’ Em!). I have been working in the mental health field for 6 years in various settings including public schools, residential and outpatient settings, day treatment programs, and child advocacy centers. Some of my specialties include anxiety, parent training, depression, frustration tolerance, and life transitions. I bring support, empathy, and connection into each of my sessions. I have experience working with children and teenagers and enjoy working with highly motivated adults. I have training in Animal Assisted Therapy and also in Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) which is an evidence-based behavior parent training treatment for children with emotional and behavioral struggles. The main goal of PCIT is to improve the quality of the parent-child relationship and change parent-child interaction patterns.