About Katie Callihan (She/Her)

My path to becoming a therapist wasn’t linear, and I value that deeply.

Before earning my Master's Degree in Mental Health & Wellness from NYU Steinhardt, I studied Journalism at the University of South Florida and worked in a variety of creative and service-oriented roles—from helping open a coffee shop to bartending, freelancing, and creating photo, video, and written content.

Across every job, one thing remained consistent: I loved connecting with people. Whether interviewing someone for a story, serving coffee, or working behind a bar, I found myself drawn to understanding others' experiences and building meaningful relationships.

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself reflecting on what had always mattered most to me. That reflection ultimately led me to pursue counseling and formalize a passion that had been present for much of my life: helping people better understand themselves, navigate challenges, and create meaningful change.

I completed my clinical training through Brooklyn Minds Psychiatry (now Curated) and received additional training through Postpartum Support International (PSI) focused on perinatal mental health for both birthing and non-birthing parents.

Additionally, in high school, I was diagnosed with ADHD and depression, and I have personal experience learning how to build executive functioning skills, cope with overwhelm, and develop emotional regulation strategies over time. These experiences continue to shape the way I understand and support clients who are navigating similar challenges.

I also grew up alongside a sibling who was diagnosed with schizophrenia during high school. Being in proximity to that experience gave me an early and personal understanding of how mental health challenges can impact not only the individual, but the entire family system—especially in the presence of stigma, misunderstanding, or lack of support. It also helped shape my commitment to creating a therapeutic space where people feel seen, supported, and not defined by labels or assumptions.

My Therapeutic Style

I strive to create a space that feels warm, collaborative, affirming, and genuinely human. Therapy is a place where you can feel supported, but it's also a place where growth happens. Once trust is established, I won't hesitate to gently challenge patterns, perspectives, or beliefs that may no longer be serving you—always at a pace that feels safe and respectful.

My approach is integrative and adapts to each client's needs. I draw from psychodynamic, existential, Jungian, and cognitive behavioral approaches, blending insight-oriented exploration with practical tools and strategies.

I enjoy helping clients understand how past experiences, family dynamics, and early relationships shape their current patterns while also identifying concrete ways to create change in the present. Depending on the individual, our work may include imagination, metaphor, creative expression, humor, mindfulness, structured skill-building, or goal-oriented interventions.

Above all, I believe therapy should feel collaborative. I regularly invite feedback and view the therapeutic relationship as something we build together.

Outside of Therapy

When I'm not working, I'm usually moving, creating, or learning. You'll often find me biking around Brooklyn, playing volleyball, making music, drawing, painting, exploring thrift stores, or diving into philosophy, culture, psychology, and science.

I also share my home with two cats, Millie and Rudy, who occasionally make guest appearances during virtual sessions.