Katie Garard is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who offers empathetic support to individuals of all ages, particularly children (10 years and older), teens, families, and emerging adults navigating difficult transitions in life. She specializes in addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, body image distress, and low self-esteem. With her extensive experience in counseling children and adolescents with eating disorders, Katie fosters a therapeutic alliance that is at the heart of her practice. By starting initial sessions focused on building a strong bond, she utilizes a person-centered approach enriched by techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). As a staunch advocate for the DBT principle of balancing acceptance and change, she is dedicated to validating and accepting her clients for who they are while guiding them through transformative growth. Understanding the busy lifestyles of families, Katie offers flexibility with evening and weekend appointments. Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys engaging with the community through volunteering with Special Olympics, delving into captivating books, exploring new destinations, and listening to podcasts while taking her adorably goofy dog for walks.