Get to Know Katherine Yates
How did I get into this career?
Growing up I almost always knew I wanted to do a job that was relationally focused. Among my friends, I was usually the “listener,” and I often gravitated towards settings where I was able to engage in meaningful ways with others. In my undergrad years at UGA, I was a Human Development and Family Science major. As I sifted through all of the possible career options, I realized that being a counselor felt like a natural and clear fit when I thought of my personality and what I was passionate about. My own journey with counseling has been an important part of my story as well, and has allowed me to personally identify with the work I get to be a part of.
What is my favorite thing about counseling?
My favorite thing about counseling is the with-ness inherent in it. Among counselors, we talk about how the greatest predictor of therapeutic effectiveness is the strength of the counselor-client relationship, and I find a lot of beauty in this idea. By sitting with others in the midst of their pain, fear, shame - whatever they may be walking through - we have the opportunity to communicate through presence that we are staying, and will remain faithful witnesses to their experiences. There is a lot of meaning in that.
What do I like to do when I'm not at Atlanta Wellness Collective?
More than anything, I enjoy hanging out with my husband Jacob and spending time with my friends and family. I find joy in being active and outdoors, whether that means hiking, camping, going on walks through the neighborhood, rock climbing, playing pickleball, or practicing yoga. I usually have my head in a good book and one of my favorite things is to watch a good movie.
What do I hope for my clients?
My hope for each of my clients is that they might be able to experience freedom. We all have beliefs, habits, and stories that bind us, and the goal of counseling in many ways is to navigate what it looks like to let go of some of those. By walking into unfamiliar, and at times, uncomfortable spaces, we can lean more into our whole selves and ultimately find freedom. This is what I seek to encourage my clients toward.
Request an appointment with Katherine via telehealth or in person at our Roswell office.
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