About me

A thoughtful, engaged presence for the work we do together.

The relationship you have with your therapist matters. I bring warmth, curiosity, clinical experience, and an active commitment to understanding you in the context of your life.

Meet Katherine

Warm, active, and curious therapy.

I’m Katherine Sloan, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California. My style is relational and engaged: I listen closely, offer reflections, help name what may be happening beneath the surface, and bring in practical support when it is useful. Rather than using a single model to fit every person or moment, I draw from Psychodynamic theory, EMDR, ACT, DBT, CBT and IFS.

I work with adults individually and with couples and families, adapting the therapy to the people in the room, their relationships, and what they hope to understand or change.

For more than 16 years, my work has centered on supporting people through vulnerability, transition, and change. My background includes hospice, hospital-based behavioral health, and integrated behavioral health in primary care with adults from age 18 into their 90s. I can engage in longer-term depth work or provide focused, short-term therapy when that better fits what you need.

Learn more about working together

Education & licensure

Master of Social WorkSan José State University School of Social Work, 2016

Bachelor of Arts in SociologyBiola University, 2008

Licensed Clinical Social WorkerCalifornia LCSW #97282, licensed since 2020

My practice is secular and inclusive. I welcome people of all faiths and no faith, and our work is guided by your values—not by a religious framework. I welcome people across gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, and backgrounds.

Advanced clinical training

Depth takes sustained study, practice, and consultation.

I value training that asks more of a therapist than learning a collection of techniques. My postgraduate education emphasizes careful case conceptualization, supervised practice, consultation, and the ongoing integration of theory with real clinical work.

EMDR-trained therapist

I completed an EMDRIA-Approved EMDR Basic Training through EMDR Consulting in 2025. EMDRIA’s minimum standards require 50 hours of preparation: 20 hours of instruction, 20 hours of supervised practicum, and 10 hours of consultation focused on real clinical cases. The curriculum includes the Adaptive Information Processing model, EMDR’s eight phases, case conceptualization, client readiness, target selection, treatment planning, and the ethical integration of EMDR into clinical practice.

EMDR can support the processing of traumatic or distressing experiences that continue to feel present in the body, emotions, beliefs, or relationships—even when you understand intellectually that the danger has passed. In my practice, EMDR is not a separate, mechanical procedure. It is held within an established therapeutic relationship, with preparation, pacing, stabilization, and attention to your capacity and consent.

EMDRIA training standards

Two years of advanced psychotherapy study

I am completing two consecutive years of postgraduate training through the Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy, in partnership with Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work. The formal certificate year alone is a yearlong commitment of approximately 2.5 hours each week and 72 hours of continuing education, combining in-person residency, webinars, and small-group clinical consultation.

The program integrates relational psychodynamic theory with attachment, neurobiology, trauma, and shame, while deepening listening, intervention, and case-conceptualization skills across different treatment approaches. I am continuing this work into a second year because I value the kind of sustained study and consultation that allows a therapist to keep growing, questioning, and thinking deeply about the care they provide.

Institute program details

Professional experience

I have provided care across different points of vulnerability, transition, and change—from end of life and acute mental health treatment to primary care and ongoing community psychotherapy.

Hospice & end-of-life care

Through my work with Hospice of Santa Cruz County, I developed extensive experience supporting people and families facing serious illness, anticipatory grief, dying, caregiving, loss, and the questions of meaning that often accompany end of life.

Hospital-to-community transitions

At Good Samaritan Hospital’s Behavioral Health PHP and IOP programs, I worked as a group therapist with people experiencing acute mental illness and significant psychiatric symptoms. This experience informs my ability to offer ongoing community psychotherapy as people transition from a higher level of care back to home, relationships, school, or work.

Psychedelic preparation & integration

I have been involved in preparation and post-experience integration sessions for people pursuing psychedelic-assisted therapy. This work can help clarify intentions, prepare for the emotional process, make meaning of what emerged, and translate insight into daily life and relationships.

I do not provide or prescribe psychedelic medicine; preparation and integration support are offered in coordination with care obtained from another qualified provider.

Primary care & brief therapy

In an integrated behavioral health primary care setting, I worked with adults from age 18 into their 90s across a wide range of diagnoses, medical concerns, life stages, and immediate stressors. This experience strengthened my ability to understand what someone needs, establish a clear focus, and provide meaningful short-term therapy when a brief course of care is the right fit.

Private practice psychotherapy is not a substitute for emergency, inpatient, residential, PHP, or IOP care. We will discuss whether this level of support is appropriate for your current needs.

Begin with a conversation

A thoughtful place to begin.

Choosing a therapist is a personal decision. You are welcome to reach out, ask questions, and take some time to consider whether my experience and approach feel right for you.

Free 20 min consultation