OUR SPECIALTIES
Family Separation, Adoption & Foster Care, DNA Discoveries
Family separation can happen for many reasons — adoption, foster care, immigration, addiction, mental illness, incarceration, and more. For some, the experience may feel positive or life-giving; for others, deeply painful. Either way, it often shapes people throughout the lifespan. The work is often less about “nature vs. nurture” and more about understanding who you are and who you want to become moving forward. Issues include, but are not limited to: adult adoptees (domestic, international, transracial) | foster care | DNA Discoveries | birth/first parents, expectant parents | obtaining original records | search and reunion | genetic sexual attraction | recovery from narcissistic abuse in adoptive family systems
Depression & Anxiety
Depression has been described by many people in many different ways. ‘Walking through a fog’; ‘trapped in a dark tunnel, with no end in sight’; ‘trying to escape quicksand’ are just a few examples. It doesn’t always look like what you see on TV and in movies. You can be up and around, working, clawing your way through the day – all while suffering from depression. Anxiety is often a symptom of depression and it doesn’t have to hold you back or lock you up.
Adulthood Trauma: Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence) Recovery
You might be wondering, “Is what’s happening to me abuse?” or thinking “It could be a lot worse, it’s not really that bad”. Whether you’re just trying to survive, in the process of leaving, or looking to break free from traumatic memories, we can help you figure out your next steps. Areas of focus include: Identifying and understanding abusive behavior and situations | Recognizing patterns of power and control | Exploring your options | Safety planning | Learn about how trauma affects the brain | Long-term healing and growth. ***NOTE: In some cases, we may refer to shelters/DV service providers for more comprehensive services if we determine threat level to be critical.
Oppression & Discrimination, and Identity Stress
The personal is political. Many people experience emotional violence every day through hostile families, workplaces, communities, microaggressions, and discrimination. Racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia/heterosexism, ableism, transphobia, and sizeism all have real impacts on mental health and daily life. Therapy cannot “solve” oppression, but it can offer a space to process these experiences openly, without gaslighting or pressure to immediately problem-solve. Mental health care that ignores oppression is not care rooted in justice.
Childhood Trauma
Trauma experienced during childhood often follows people into adulthood. Folks often tell us they don’t understand why they can’t stop thinking about it, or why they have such a hard time setting boundaries, or feel like old memories are following them around. It’s not about what’s “wrong” with you, it’s about what happened to you. Issues include, but are not limited to: Neglect | Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse| Witnessing domestic violence | Incarcerated family members Addiction in household | Hoarding household | Spiritual trauma and abuse, recovery from high demand groups (this practice is secular) | Bullying | Mental illness in family members
Adulthood Trauma: Sexual Violence Recovery
You might not call what happened to you abuse, sexual assault, harassment, or rape, but it still had an impact. You might not have ever talked about it before, or been afraid to report it. You have a right to be believed and supported. It wasn’t your fault. You’re a survivor. Areas of focus include: Identifying and understanding sexual violence and harrassment | Recognizing patterns of grooming | Exploring your options about reporting to law enforcement and/or going to the hospital for a SANE exam ("rape kit") | Learn about how trauma affects the brain | Long-term healing and growth
Clinical Supervision / Consult for
New and Seasoned Professionals
Clinical supervision available to North Carolina LCSWA (in-person and virtual) and Texas LMSW (virtual), as well as seasoned professionals seeking ongoing supervision or clinical consult. CLICK HERE for more information about clinical supervision with Katy.
SUPPORT GROUPS
In addition to one-on-one counseling, we also offer general processing groups. These groups meet once a month, or bi-weekly, typically on evenings and weekends, and are not meant to be therapy. They are virtual and include individuals who live anywhere in the US.
Typical rate is $65 and up per individual
Adoptee Processing Group
This group is for adults 18+ who were adopted, or experienced foster care, as children. Group usually meets 1-2x/month, January-May and September-December, on Mondays 6:30-7:45pm Eastern Standard Time. Cost is $65 per session.
Group is facilitated by Kathryn Perkins (Katy Perkins Coveney), a reunited adopted person and therapist who specializes in post adoption with adult adopted people and childhood/adult trauma.