Katie Walton, MFT Intern

Meet Katie Walton, a dynamic and insightful Marriage and Family Therapy Intern and a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Katie's rich background in therapeutic recreation provides her with a unique perspective on health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of engaging activities in recreation and leisure for overall health. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy at Antioch University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Eastern Washington University.

 

Katie's clinical interests are deeply rooted in working with couples and families to navigate relationship issues, understanding intergenerational influences, and assisting individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, or the impacts of trauma. Her therapeutic toolkit includes Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), along with elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Gottman Couples Therapy.

 

Her approach to therapy is compassionate, holistic, and culturally responsive, framed through a systemic lens. Katie believes that therapeutic progress hinges on vulnerability and a commitment to wellness. She advocates for a deeper self-awareness and acceptance, promoting a response to life’s challenges with compassion and a sense of worthiness that fosters sustainable connections with others.

 

Katie's personal journey and diverse identity as a bisexual woman of Irish, German, and Polish descent, raised within the Catholic Church but now more spiritually minded, greatly inform her empathetic approach. Raised in a tumultuous household where expressing emotions was discouraged, Katie's own path towards therapeutic growth and healing deeply influences her professional practice.

 

Her ideal clients include couples or families striving to build empathetic and supportive relationships, individuals learning to respond to their emotions with acceptance, and those seeking new insights into persistent unhelpful habits or behaviors.

 

Outside of her professional life, Katie is an avid outdoors enthusiast, enjoying kayaking, hiking, camping, and more. She also loves drawing, painting, and indulging in her passion for action/adventure anime and stand-up comedy. A fun fact about Katie is her adventurous spirit as a former competitive spicy food eater, inspired by the show "Man vs. Food."

 

Katie's dedication to therapeutic practice extends beyond her clinical work, as she is actively involved with the Seattle-based organization Outdoors For All, which promotes accessible outdoor activities for individuals with disabilities. She also advocates for the legalization and safety of sex work.

 

Katie Walton combines profound professional knowledge with personal empathy, making her an invaluable resource for those seeking support and growth through therapy.