About Me
My name is Katherine (Kat). I have been working professionally with sexuality and trauma for over a decade. With each new professional experience I saw more clearly how bodies, intimate connection, health and relationship to identity, shape experiences that are either darkened by shame or illuminated with joy. I am passionate about ending stigma and empowering people to take control over their bodies. I desire to see communities that care for one another and celebrate authenticity. I am a survivor. I am a teacher, a nurturer and a guide. I have a passion for playful curiosity, fervently present living and luxuriating in life’s pleasures. I would be so thrilled to meet you and walk alongside you as we connect with your most present, *integrated and authentic self. I delight in watching people grow through their own strength and skills and guiding them to trust their intuition as the experts of their own experience.
*My definition of integration is a restoration of the feeling of our innate psychological, physiological and spiritual wholeness. It is the work of honoring and accepting all parts of ourselves and making decisions in accordance with our values, desires and purpose. Often felt as a softening toward, and ownership of, the whole self. An integrated individual allows all parts of their being to work in harmony with one another. An integrated community sees its wellness holistically and values all lives, experiences and skills.
I am currently located on unceded Kickapoo, Osage, Caddo and O-ga-xpa lands also known as Fayetteville, Arkansas in the Ozark mountains. I am available for both long distance services and in person services if you are in my area.
My Experience
I have been extremely fortunate in my life to have an abundance of energy and the privilege of opportunity. This has allowed me to pursue education and professional experiences in many realms, all of which have culminated in this offering of sexuality support, healing and education. My experiences include extensive support of survivors of sexual assault and community education about sexual violence. In years of sexual health counseling and managing a sexual health non-profit, I gained specialized experience in supporting individuals, developing curriculum and facilitating group discussions on the topics listed below. I have a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia with a minor in Studio Art. I recieved my Masters in Social Work with a focus on Children and Families and Mental Health from the University of Southern California. I conducted my graduate research in the field of inclusive sex education and identity. In addition, I have experience as a K-12 and montessori art teacher, school based mental health worker and support for youth with disabilities. A large portion of my work has focused on supporting resilience in traumatized and criminalized youth and adults. I have worked with people age 5 to 65+ and love all of the unique opportunities different stages of life bring. I am a voracious reader, resource seeker and self-educator. My vast experiences have brought me to a place of deep empathy and understanding and humbled me to want to help people live their best lives, completely on their terms.
An incomplete list of topics in which I have specialized individual and group experience:
stigma and shame
gender and sexual identity
sexual health practices and harm reduction
sexual trauma
sex and disability
infidelity and guilt
grief and loss
sex positivity
intersectionality and internal bias
kink, bdsm and consensual non-monogamy
and much more…
All of my services are conducted through an intersectional lens. I am active in my personal process of decolonizing my relationship to sexuality and bodies and studying the disproportionate impact of sexual violence and harmful public health policy on people of the global majority. I engage deeply with the work of trans, disabled, and BIPOC sexuality educators and healers. I commit to dismantling transphobia, fatphobia, ableism, colonialism and anti-blackness in myself, my environment and the sex education field. I am in a constant learning process and commit to accountability, admitting when I am wrong, and a life long learning process. I will do my work to educate myself and enlist the support of diverse mentors and peers when necessary. While I focus on educating myself in a framework of intersectional liberation, my services are available to individuals of all gender identities, sexual orientations and racial identities. I will always make referrals to other professionals when desired or appropriate.
For full spectrum doula services by me visit goldenthreaddoula.com