Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Scott.
Hi Katherine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Life is a journey, and it’s incredible how it can unfold if you lean into it’s melody. I grew up in a quiet town located in North Florida as an only child surrounded by animals. I have anyways been a nurturer by nature, and I leaned into this calling as I started my undergraduate degree at the University of Florida. Life had a sense of humor and made it undeniably clear that becoming a Physical Therapist was not in the cards as I epically did not get along with Chemistry or higher level math classes. By happenstance, I was enrolled in a developmental psychology class as my educational identity crisis was unfolding, and I fell in love with the world of psychology. Despite whispers of hesitation, I switched my major to Psychology and leapt in with both feet. On accident, I graduated early with this degree and a minor in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. With little knowledge of how to put this degree to good use, I took a gap year and became a Language Therapy Technician at The Morris Center, where I helped those with Dyslexia learn how to read and write. This was a phenomenal opportunity for many reasons, one being I was able to work alongside many facets of the helping profession including Speech Language Pathologists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and Neuropsychologists. Throughout this wildly random year, I discovered my love of being apart of the healing journey, while also witnessing the power of healing through a systemic lens. This led to my leap into dual master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Counseling at the University of Florida. Through some twists and turns, I found my professional home at a private practice lovingly known as Puzzle Peace Counseling. Here, our niche is working with those with Neurodiversity and their families.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Smooth roads make for boring stories. I have always struggled to spell and succeed in math, however these struggles did not monopolize my identity. If anything, I used these weaknesses to delve into my strengths of writing and memorization to balance myself out as a human. So often, our world focuses on our weak spots, and it’s quite a toxic trait of our society. I have stumbled and fallen with bumps and bruises to my ego along the way, yet I believe my stubborn tenacity has kept me from getting lost in the weeds of struggle and suffering. There were opportunities to melt beneath the burden of struggles throughout my educational and professional career, yet this would not have made my life’s journey any more unique. Instead I leaned into the obstacles and sought the beauty in all the unusual places.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the assistant clinical director and lead Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist within my outpatient mental health private practice. While I work with those in most walks of life, my niche is working with those with broad Neurodiversity and their families. To aid in this work, I am a level 1 certified Gottman Methods Couple’s Therapist and level 1 certified Clinical Trauma Professional. There are a wild number of complexities that accompany Neurodiversity- affirming care, and I am in constant pursuit of cultivating the safest space for my clients in a world that carries so much adversity. I am known for my compassion, authenticity, tenacious advocacy, sassy nature, and nonjudgmental stance as I get to know my client’s world through their unique perspective. Furthermore, I fulfilled a dream of mine and became a published author of a social-emotional children’s book titled ‘The Tail of a Trio’. In this book, you will dive into the whimsical exploration of a Mental Health Therapist’s take on a true story. Takeaways include significant life lessons pertaining to resiliency and the power of friendship that leaves a lasting impact in the hearts of most ages. I genuinely care about my client’s pursuit of happiness and I strive to have this highlighted through my work. It is an honor to be apart of someone else’s healing journey, and I make sure I never lose sight of this gift.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I am a Florida girl through and through, and the city of Jacksonville checks the marks of humid, flat-land filled country. The horse country of Ocala is a realistic drive, and I am able to lean into the quietness of smaller towns, or the bright lights of downtown and unique experiences that accompany bigger cities such as concerts. However, that does not negate the disparity of mental health resources that is sorely felt by many. Jacksonville is terribly lacking in helpful resources for any higher levels of mental health care, let alone Neurodiversity-affirming care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katthecounselor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katthecounselor/?hl=en
- Facebook: The ‘Tail’ of a Trio
