Kaitlin Kimmel

Welcome! I’m a licensed psychotherapist who is warm, intellectual, straight-forward and authentic. I create a therapeutic container that feels protective, grounding and nonjudgemental. Most importantly, I have an inextinguishable curiosity about the human condition.

I have 10 years of experience in mental health and social services in various capacities, including supervisory positions. Before becoming a therapist, I went to art school and was a researcher in the public sector. This informs my therapy practice as I have a deep understanding of intersecting systemic barriers. I’m able to hold deep complexity in an individual and a system and approach my work with creativity.

I have my Bachelors of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley and my Masters of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from San Francisco State University. I’m a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist (CVE). And, I have been extensively trained in EMDR, trauma-informed, existential and person-centered therapy.

I believe that true healing in psychotherapy requires digging deep to uncover the root causes of the challenge you're facing in this season of your life. Rather than just addressing surface symptoms, I focus on exploring your thoughts, feelings, and past experiences that landed you here.

This deeper understanding empowers you to navigate future obstacles with greater ease and alignment. Together, we'll transform not just how you feel in the moment, but how you approach life moving forward.

Your journey to genuine well-being begins with unraveling the deeper layers of your story.

Healing is a non-linear process. A safe, trusting and supportive space is critical to healing and creating root-level change. Below are stages of treatment you’ll pass through on your journey.

• First, we gather data and make a plan. We identify what is stuck or hurting. There are likely a lot of emotions connected to this place (feelings can be data too!). Therapy is a space to feel those emotions and develop tools and strategies to help you work with, tolerate, and understand them with more ease.
• Then, we get to the root and create insight. Why did this happen? How did it happen? How is it connected to the story of you? We try to understand the stuckness with a new perspective which builds a foundation for change.
• Change is made. From this place, it’s possible to create lasting change (instead of just treating a symptom). You may make different choices, change your behavior or have a deeper understanding of who you are, what you’ve been through, and where you want to go.