About Me
I'm Katie Taves, a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience in community mental health and private practice settings, serving clients in DC, Virginia, and those living abroad. I specialize in perinatal mental health and parenting. Whether you are a new (or new again) parent struggling with postpartum symptoms or a parent feeling challenged by your child’s behavior, I am glad you are here. I am passionate about supporting parents and families through various stages and seasons. This includes loss, infertility, pregnancy, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), and parenting challenges in early childhood.
SCHEDULE AN INITIAL CONVERSATION
Experience & Training
I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology at James Madison University and earned a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from East Carolina University. As a resident in counseling at a community mental health center, I focused on working with young children and families impacted by poverty, neglect, and family separation. I am extensively trained in evidence-based models of therapy including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), self-compassion, mindfulness, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).
I have specialized training in perinatal mental health, child-centered play therapy, family counseling, and parent-child relationship models. This comprehensive background allows me to offer tailored and individualized support to the families I work with.
Therapeutic Approach
My therapeutic approach is evidence-based and individually tailored to each client or family's needs and goals. I emphasize client-centered care, rooted in respect and collaboration, and love partnering with my clients to support their growth and healing. Together, we will identify strategies to enable you to be more resilient, hopeful, and confident. In my parenting work, I draw from my training in neuropsychology and developmental psychology to help parents understand and effectively address challenges related to emotional regulation.
Focus Areas and Expertise
I specialize in perinatal mental health, offering compassionate and effective therapy for perinatal challenges including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and other Perinatal Mood/Anxiety Disorder. I also work with individuals and couples facing fertility challenges, navigating infertility treatments, and pregnancy loss. I love working with individuals and couples navigating relationship concerns during pregnancy, and postpartum, and supporting parents transitioning back to work after parental leave.
I offer comprehensive parenting support for new families, emphasizing collaborative and empowering interventions to foster growth. I especially enjoy working with parents of young children who experience challenges related to emotion regulation, adjustment/life transitions, and anxiety. I draw from neuropsychology to help parents understand the brain-body connection and its important role in emotion regulation, and incorporate play-based interventions to increase cooperation and joy in everyday moments.
-
East Carolina University
Masters in Clinical Psychology, 2009James Madison University
B.A., Psychology, 2007 -
LPC - Virginia, 070100786
LPC- DC, PRC200001842
-
Postpartum Support International (PSI), approved provider
Postpartum Support Virginia (PSVa), approved provider
PSI: Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care Training
Infertility, Pregnancy Loss, and Reproductive Trauma
Partnering with Parents through Parent Consultations: A Play Therapist Approach
Anti-Racism Training for Group Practices
The Nuances of Working with Trans Youth and their Families
Fit4Mom, Instructor (2017-2022)