Cat Kliegle

I have a tattoo that says “two things can be true” because dialectical thinking – the notion that multiple seemingly-opposing things can co-exist – changed my life. Human life is complicated; Our experiences and identities often can’t be captured through binaries. In that same vein, I believe that healing exists at the intersection of acceptance and change, and that both are crucial as we work to improve our lives.

As a neurodivergent queer person who grew up in the south, I know how important it is to have a safe space to figure out who you are, separate from all of the voices telling you who you “should” be. I sometimes joke that I’m a “professional wonderer” because I’m constantly curious. I ask questions not only so I can better understand my clients, but also in hopes that by wondering together, clients can deepen their understanding of themselves too. I also feel it’s my responsibility as a mental health professional to acknowledge ways that systemic oppression contributes to mental health challenges. Of course trauma and brain chemistry impact our well-being, and I believe that living in a white supremacist, colonized, patriarchal, capitalist society takes a toll on our mental health as well, so we owe it to ourselves and our communities to validate that!

I’m a relational therapist above all else, as I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation that supports all other interventions. I incorporate a lot of DBT and narrative therapy in addition to some somatic interventions and IFS parts work. I’m also a big believer in harm reduction. In the past, I’ve facilitated CBT groups for justice-involved youth and adults, worked in acute and sub-acute inpatient settings, and provided outpatient psychotherapy at a youth center. All in all, my aim is to non-judgmentally meet my clients where they’re at, and with their permission, gently push them in the direction they want to grow.