Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie McCrone.
Hi Katie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I didn’t always plan to become a therapist. I actually came to this work because therapy changed my own life in a very real way. That experience made me realize how powerful it can be to have a space where you don’t have to perform, explain away your feelings, or hold everything together alone. It lead me to feeling empowered and I became passionate about empowering others.
At 33, I decided to completely pivot and go back to grad school to become a therapist. It was one of the biggest and best decisions I’ve made. After earning my Master’s in Clinical Social Work, I moved from Southwest Michigan to Hendersonville in 2021 to work in private practice. I was really drawn to the deeper, more relational side of therapy that private practice can offer.
A lot of my approach is shaped by both my clinical training and being a human who has had to do hard things too. I think people can feel the difference when they’re sitting with someone who genuinely gets how messy growth and healing can be.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think a lot of people would be surprised by how much happens behind the scenes in private practice. People see the therapy session itself, but there’s also continuing education, supervision, paperwork, learning the business side of private practice, marketing, networking, and figuring out how to build something sustainable and meaningful. And…prioritizing your own self care by going to your own therapy, practicing your own coping skills, etc.
The path to becoming a fully licensed therapist is also a long one. After grad school, I completed over 3,000 hours of direct clinical work as well as hours of supervision before becoming fully licensed. It takes a lot of dedication, patience, and willingness to keep learning.
Moving from Southwest Michigan to Hendersonville in 2021 was another big transition. Starting over in a new place personally and professionally pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. Looking back, though, I’m grateful the road wasn’t perfectly smooth because it helped shape me into a more grounded, adaptable, and compassionate therapist.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Counseling with Katie?
My practice is rooted in trauma-informed care, which means I look beyond symptoms and really try to understand the full picture of what someone has been through, how their nervous system has adapted, and what healing might actually look like for them as an individual. I work with adults navigating trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, burnout, life transitions, and the emotional weight of always feeling like they have to hold it all together.
I’m trained in both Brainspotting and EMDR, which are powerful approaches for helping people process experiences that can feel stuck emotionally or physically, especially when insight alone hasn’t been enough. I love integrating these approaches with more traditional talk therapy because healing is rarely just intellectual — it’s emotional, relational, and often deeply connected to the body and nervous system as well.
What sets my practice apart is probably the balance between depth and authenticity. I want therapy to feel human. My clients don’t need to show up polished or have the “right” words. I create a space where people can exhale a little, be honest about what’s actually going on, and feel supported without judgment.
I also take a more holistic approach to mental health. I’m interested in the connection between mind and body, stress and physical symptoms, relationships, lifestyle, boundaries, and the environments we live and work in. Sometimes people come to therapy thinking something is “wrong” with them, when really they’ve been surviving in ways that made sense for a long time.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of creating a practice that feels warm, grounded, and safe while still doing deep clinical work. I want people to know they don’t have to be in complete crisis to deserve support, and that healing doesn’t have to happen through shame or pressure.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice is to be yourself. It sounds simple, but especially in helping professions, it can be easy to feel pressure to sound a certain way, fit into a certain mold, or have everything perfectly figured out. The therapists, business owners I admire most are the ones who lead with authenticity and stay connected to who they actually are.
I also think it’s important to stay committed to growth both personally and professionally. Continuing education matters, but so does doing your own inner work, staying curious, and being willing to evolve over time. People can feel when someone is genuinely present and grounded in themselves.
building something meaningful takes time. There’s no shortcut to experience, confidence, or trust in yourself. It’s hard work, especially in private practice, but when your work feels connected to purpose and meaning, it makes the challenges worth it. There’s something really special about creating a career where you get to help people feel less alone while also building a life that feels aligned with who you are.
Pricing:
- $150 for individual 50-minute sessions
- $150 for 50-minute individual initial consultation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CounselingwithKatie.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselingwkatie?utm_source=qr
