“What you resist, persists.” ~ Carl Jung

So often I hear from clients that they have been putting off or avoiding going to therapy for years because they either feel that it won’t help them or they simply don’t understand how the process works. Part of my job as a therapist is to explore feelings of resistance with you while exploring more adaptive coping skills to improve your quality of life. Even if you’re apprehensive about getting started, I’m here to try to understand more about your concerns from a position of curiosity rather than questioning.

I frequently work with clients who are experiencing the following:

• Feeling anxious or on edge trying to manage the emotional ups and downs of parenting, working, and  showing up for everyone else.

• Struggling with low motivation or sadness, and wondering “how did I get here?” 

• Carrying unresolved trauma or past experiences that surface in moments of stress, conflict, or parenting challenges.

• Feeling stuck in cycles of guilt, overwhelm, or emotional burnout, and wanting to find anything that is better than the current cycle.

Hi there! I’m Katlyn Cizek and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I hold a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology, and I’ve had the privilege of providing counseling services in various settings to a diverse population with a range of presenting concerns. I’m an avid animal lover as well, so all of your pet stories are welcomed and encouraged!

I’m incredibly grateful for my work as a crisis counselor in the emergency room setting because it has offered me the opportunity to utilize an array of therapeutic techniques while adapting quickly to each changing situation that comes through the door. Having this background has allowed me to easily transition into private practice where I have the opportunity to spend much more time with my clients and fully explore what is holding them back.

I understand the importance of creating a safe space that is free of stigma and judgment. Establishing rapport is a crucial component in the first couple of sessions, and in order to make you feel more comfortable, I use a person-centered approach, which allows you to share personal experiences and process emotions at your own pace while I provide therapeutic support. I’m particularly passionate about treating trauma through EMDR and OCD with the use of ERP.

As an avid runner, and someone who has competed in triathlons, I can definitely relate to work performance stress, overachievers, and teen athletes struggling with perfectionism. If you’re finding yourself struggling with symptoms of anxiety, stress, or a poor performance mindset, I’m equipped to teach you the skills and strategies needed to stop getting in your own way. It’s important to keep in mind that these things are treatable, and you don’t have to stay miserable. I have a high level interest in treating mood disorders as well, such as depression and bipolar disorder. I’m not afraid to talk about suicide because talking it through allows us to create a tailored plan to meet your needs. I really appreciate clients coming in during such a vulnerable and challenging time for them in an effort to make improvements. Our focus will be on finding a way up from the challenging low.

My goal is to provide you with education, guidance, and support so that you can understand the meaning behind the way you are thinking, feeling, and behaving. I also feel that it is important for you to know that therapy takes work. It can be a difficult process, but I promise I will be with you every step of the way. Great therapeutic work takes vulnerability, so some days may be less fun than others. There will be weeks where you take five steps forward and there will be weeks where you take ten steps back. The beautiful thing is that as the weeks pass, you will learn more about yourself, and strengthen your ability to cope effectively with your struggles, which leads to improved overall mental health.

I utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities including, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT),  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Strengths- Based, Person-Centered, and Trauma Focused Counseling. I look forward to meeting you and supporting you on your journey to improve your mental health!