Meet Katie Kennedy.

It was her own family therapy experience as a teenager that sparked Katie’s interest in psychology. She has always been deeply fascinated by human growth and development, so pursuing a career in psychology seemed like a natural path for Kennedy.

“I’ve always been interested in people,” Kennedy said. “I wanted to be in an environment and career where I could help people. I’m quite an observer and interested in what makes people unique and their personalities, systems and cultures. Bodies and minds are really fascinating to me.”

Kennedy’s interest in what makes people tick led her to complete a degree in psychology with an emphasis in studio art from Santa Clara University. After graduation, she returned home to Oregon to continue her education at Lewis & Clark College where she ultimately gained the skills to become a counselor. Upon graduating in 1991, she worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, mental health facilities and community mental health organizations. Kennedy also spent several years as an adjunct professor at Lewis & Clark College.

In 1995, she opened her private practice in Portland, Oregon and has been practicing ever since. She considers her line of work  a collaboration between herself and her clients to increase understanding, promote acceptance, identify strengths, build tools and, bring forth desired changes.

Her greatest priority is creating a supportive connection with her clients so they can address what’s really important to them. Reseach has ….. and feel comfortable doing so. Kennedy is involved with ongoing training in outcome based therapies to help strengthen her practice. Additionally, she continues her own psychotherapy and regularly gathers with colleagues for consultation and support.  

“My own personal experiences and trials have helped me deepen my work with people,” Kennedy said. “My edges have softened. Life experiences have deepened my compassion for people and their own life experiences. I am as interested as ever with my work. It just gets richer. I appreciate the simplicity and how much my clients have in common as well as the complexity and uniqueness of our lives. Something I really like to honor.”

When she isn’t meeting with clients, Katie is cultivating her life with family and friends. She is married with a teenager and dog, Finny. She enjoys doing things that inspire her like getting outdoors, listening to jazz, adding to her 20 year yoga practice, reading and carving out time to make art and play the piano and cello again.

Photo by Michaela Fujita.