Supervised by Kara Tracy, LPC-S - Resident in Counseling
Katelyn Dolieslager
Supervised by Kara Tracy, LPC-S
Resident in Counseling
15 specialities
Accepts insurance
Telehealth appointments throughout
Call us for details on Supervised by Kara Tracy, LPC-S
Resident in Counseling15 specialitiesAccepts insurance
Katelyn Dolieslager
Hi there! My name is Katie Dolieslager. I am a Resident in Counseling and current doctoral student at James Madison University. I graduated undergrad from James Madison University and got my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Mennonite University. My hope is that as clients share space with me, they would feel seen, heard, valued, and known in a way that is transformational and healing. I work primarily with an Attachment Theory lens - looking at the ways in which interpersonal relationships impact individuals lives, starting at a very young age ad into their adulthood. I believe that everyone deserves to know their infinite value, worth, and purpose in life. Therefore, through using play therapy interventions, art therapy, being in nature, and creating intentional and safe spaces, clients will begin to walk the path of healing. I work with people from all walks of life, believing that everyone can benefit from the work of counseling - ranging from young kids, to adults, couples, and anyone in between. In my free time, you will most likely find me hiking in National Parks with my husband, dog, and daughter. I love taking care of my plants, drinking coffee, reading a good book, and FaceTiming my long-distance family. I look forward to meeting you!
A breakthrough with a client that I have had was when working with a teenager who was resistant to therapy at first. At first, she was coming to therapy because her parents wanted her to. She did not want to talk to me at the beginning of our time together and was extremely standoffish. Through building rapport, trust, and creating space to get to know this client, she slowly began opening up. As we continued to build our therapeutic relationship, she started being excited to come to therapy sessions every week. Through our work together, she was able to better identify her emotions & gain more self-confidence in relationships.
Our process is entirely led by you. I want for clients to know that the therapy space is theirs, rather than me guiding the sessions. If clients want more structure, I am happy to give that to them. However, if clients want to just come to sessions each week and process what is present in that moment, that is also okay. My goal is for clients to be able to claim their voice in the counseling space, so I make more time and space for clients to take up than myself. I will listen with empathy, compassion, and care as they share.
Our first session is very heavily background based. We will begin building rapport and get to know one another, but I will be asking lots of historical questions in order to best gain insight into what you are bringing into the space. I will ask for your reasons for seeking services, if you have had any past counseling experience, when you will know you are done with counseling, and go over family and mental health history. During our first session, it will be a bit more structured than normal so that I can gain insight into your life.
Being a therapist is an honor for me. It is a joy, gift, and absolute honor to be able to sit with people and their stories. It is never lost on me as I sit with someone how brave it is to reach out for help. Therefore, it is motivating for me to be a therapist knowing that those I am sitting with are on the path towards healing and self-growth/reflection. Additionally, I have had several safe people in my life who have made space for me to be authentically myself in their presence, and I hope to be that for my clients as well.
Highlights
Katelyn Dolieslager, Resident in Counseling, is under the clinical supervision of Kara Tracy, LPC-S, 2340 Commonwealth Drive, Ste 0101, Charlottesville, VA 22901, (540) 632-1359, while obtaining supervised post-master’s degree experience per the laws and regulations governing the practice of Counseling.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
After working with me, clients can expect to feel empowered to know that they have the skills they need to walk through the world with support, confidence, and self-compassion. My goal is to help clients be able to identify their strengths and reduce negative self-talk in order to improve both intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I utilize evidence-based therapies, including: Psychotherapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy,Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy & Trauma-Focused Therapy.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am highly relatable. I love talking with people and am able to make people feel safe when they are with me. Through various life experiences, I have been a safe haven for people to turn to in times of need, which is what led me to being a counselor! Additionally, I am very easy to talk to which helps individuals feel comfortable and confident to enter the therapy space.
Specialities
