I’m so glad that you are looking into embarking or re-embarking on your therapeutic journey. I know beginning or restarting this journey can feel overwhelming at times, and I want to do everything I can to support your prioritization of mental health. I hope that the information provided here can tell you a bit more about me as a therapist and help you determine if I might be a good fit for you and your current therapeutic needs.
Kate Cotnam, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor (she, her)
- Appointments: Both in-person and telehealth
- Manage Medications: Provides therapy and collaborates closely with our psychiatry team for medication management, available through internal referral if needed.
Self Scheduling
I have worked as a therapist in a wide range of settings for over a decade now, and during this time, the one thing that I have seen repeatedly is that the therapeutic process is wholly unique for each individual client, whether they be middle schoolers, college students, or senior adults. When it comes to my therapeutic approach, it is relational and person-centered. I have found that there is no “one-size-fits-all” template. I firmly believe that you, the client, are the expert on you, and my job is to facilitate your journey towards healing and trusting yourself.
I also believe that one of the most essential aspects of the therapeutic process comes from the creation of a safe, judgement-free environment in which you feel heard and understood. From there, we can begin the important work of dismantling shame, shedding messages and roles that are no longer serving you, and healing past hurts.
I also feel that healing does not occur in a vacuum and it is essential to examine systems of oppression that have hurt and impacted our development as a people and that continue to hurt individuals of marginalized identities. I am deeply engaged in the work of decolonizing my own words, thoughts, and internal biases.
Credentials
Personal Interests
I would describe myself as an artist and dyed-in-the-wool nerd—let’s just say, I was going to Star Trek conventions long before it was cool to like Star Trek again. I am a born and raised Austinite and, after completing my education in College Station and San Angelo, I was eager to get back to the this wonderfully weird city. When I am not at work, I can often be found playing with my adorable pug mix, Bentley, reading mystery novels, writing fanfiction, crocheting in every corner of my apartment, or watching the latest season of Rupaul’s Drag Race or the new Marvel movie or TV show.
In-network and Self Pay
Insurance Accepted
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Seton Health Plan
- Employers Health Network
- Aetna
- Humana
- Sana Benefits
- UnitedHealthcare/Optum
- Cigna/Evernorth
- Partners Direct Health
Self Pay
$225
Self-pay and out-of-pocket session costs for clients without insurance coverage for mental health services.
Specialties and Expertise
Top Specialities
Trauma, LGBTQ+ Community
Expertise
- Anxiety
- Boundaries / Assertiveness
- Childhood Abuse or Neglect
- Chronic Illness
- Codependency
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Divorce / Breakup
- Existential Issues
- Family Conflict
- Gender Identity
- Gender Identity (LGBTQ)
- Lack of Emotional Awareness
- Life Transitions
- Open Relationship / Polyamory
- Panic Attacks
- Perfectionism
- Self-Esteem / Negative Self-Talk
- Self-Harm
- Sexual Abuse
- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Identity
- Sexual Identity (LGBTQ)
- Shame
- Trauma / PTSD
- Women's Issues
Treatment Approach
Types of Therapy
- Coherence Therapy
- Compassion Focused
- Culturally Sensitive
- Depth Therapy
- Eclectic
- Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Family Systems
- Interpersonal
- Narrative Therapy
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
- Systems Approach
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Locations
Client Focus
- Age Groups Served: Children (6 to 10), Preteen, Teen, Adults, Elders (65+)
- Participant Types: Individuals
- Language Spoken: English