Katie Ion (she/they)

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #123542

Supervised by Ally Silva, LCSW #93160

CLINICAL APPROACH

Being a person is deeply challenging even in the best of times. We all deserve a safe, welcoming space to examine our values, emotions, and experiences. I aim to provide that space by affirming your identities, centering you as the expert on your life, emphasizing your strengths, and encouraging you to connect with others who understand you.

Humor, non-judgement, and a genuine curiosity about your experiences are my most important tools. I recognize that your cultural background, your social context, and the structural barriers before you are critical to your mental health. Whatever you have been through, whoever you are, every part of you is welcome here.

I currently work with teens and young people facing a variety of challenges, including depression, anxiety, grief, body image issues, ADHD, chronic illness/disability, bullying, and more. I am passionate about providing gender affirming care and LGBTQIA+ affirming care to clients of all ages. I also enjoy facilitating group therapy and believe strongly in the healing power of community.

ABOUT ME

Hello! I identify as trans, nonbinary, queer, and neurodivergent. I love animals and have a kitten named Nova who runs my life. I enjoy playing RPG’s on Xbox, but I confess I’m not very good--easy mode all the way! I love card magic and can still do a few tricks on a good day. I lived in Scotland for five years and can’t wait to see more of the world. I geek out on ADHD research and I love to highlight the positive aspects of this neurotype. Young people bring me the most hope out of anything these days, they really are amazing!


SERVICES I OFFER

In-person & virtual sessions for:

  • Family Therapy

  • Parent Support Therapy

  • Individual Therapy (Teens, Adults)

  • Group Therapy


THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES & PRACTICES I USE

  • Existential Therapy

  • Family Systems Therapy

  • Gender Affirmative Clinical Model

  • Mindfulness

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Person-Centered Therapy

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

  • Attachment-Based Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (trauma-informed)

  • Crisis Intervention

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)


AREAS OF CONCERN I WORK WITH

  • LGBTQ+ Concerns (Depression, Discrimination from Family/Friends/Community, Gender Dysphoria, Gender Identity Exploration, Gender Incongruence, Interpersonal Connections, Parenting, Romantic Relationships, Sexual Orientation Exploration, Transitioning)

  • Life Transitions

  • Loneliness

  • Narcissism

  • Neglect

  • Parenting Issues

  • Perfectionism

  • Personality Disorders

  • Pessimism

  • Phobias

  • Procrastination & Motivation

  • Psychosis

  • PTSD

  • Relationship Problems

  • Schizoaffective Disorder

  • Schizophrenia

  • School Avoidance

  • Self-Esteem

  • Self-Harm

  • Sensitivity To Rejection & Criticism

  • Sensory Processing

  • Sex Addiction

  • Sexual Assault (Survivor)

  • Shyness

  • Sleep Problems (Nightmares, Night Terrors, Insomnia)

  • Social Skills

  • Stress & Stress Management

  • Suicide (Attempted, Ideation)

  • Terminal Illness

  • Trauma

  • Trust Issues

  • Abandonment

  • Abuse (Emotional/Verbal, Physical, Sexual) (Survivor)

  • Academic Problems

  • Acting Out Behaviors

  • Anger

  • Anxiety (Generalized, OCD, Panic Attacks/Disorder, Social)

  • Attachment Issues

  • Attention Problems/ADHD

  • Bipolar

  • Blended Families

  • Body Dysmorphia

  • Body Image

  • Bullied By Others

  • Bullies Others

  • Codependency

  • Communication Difficulties

  • Cultural Issues

  • Death & Preoccupation with Death

  • Depression (Major, Peri/Post-Partum, Seasonal)

  • Discrimination

  • Disordered Eating (ARFID, Binging, Orthorexia, OSFED, PICA, Purging, Restricting, Rumination)

  • Divorce (Supporting Kids/Teens, Supporting Adults)

  • Domestic Violence

  • Family Conflict

  • Fire Setting

  • Grief, Loss & Bereavement

  • Health & Medical Problems

  • Identity Exploration

  • Illness Within the Family

  • Impulsivity

  • Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors

  • Infidelity/Cheating

  • Learning Difficulties

  • LGBTQ+ Concerns (Anxiety, Coming Out)

* Areas of concern in bold are areas I'm particularly passionate about working with

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Education:

  • Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Santa Clara University (2019-2023)

  • Doctoral Research in Sociology, University of Edinburgh (2011-2015)

  • Master of Science by Research in Cultural Anthropology, University of Edinburgh (2010-2011)

  • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, UC Santa Cruz (2005-2007)

Work Experience:

  • Therapist at Teen Therapy Center (2023-present)

  • MFT Trainee at Bill Wilson Center, providing grief counseling to teens and adults, facilitating grief support groups, and providing school-based counseling for students at Wilcox High (2021 – 2022)

  • Teaching Assistant in Sociology at University of Edinburgh, facilitating discussion sections, providing emotional and academic support to undergraduate students, and advocating for students with disabilities and major life challenges (2011 – 2015)