Getting Better Treatment Options
I believe in a holistic approach that focuses on a patient’s strengths. The mind, body, and spirit need to be addressed for a successful outcome. I work with my clients to recognize symptoms and develop an integrative model of therapy that will address the whole person and their specific needs. My areas of interest are trauma, PTSD, abuse, complex trauma, dissociation, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, Lyme and autoimmune, depression, anxiety, OCD, transitional issues, chronic illness and substance abuse counseling. I provide individual counseling and work with adults and adolescents. I am integrative and draw from many different modalities including, EMDR, somatic psychotherapy, Natural Processing, brainspotting, expressive therapy, ego states, attachment theory and cognitive behavioral theory.
A consistent theme I’ve heard from patients is that I excel at recognizing symptoms and developing a treatment plan. I am a trauma informed therapist and have completed advanced training with the Ferentz Institute with a certification in trauma. I am an EMDRIA Approved Consultant/Trainer and certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist and a full member of EMDRIA. EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation, which repeatedly activates the opposite sides of the brain, releasing emotional experiences that are “trapped” in the nervous system. This detoxes the neuro-physiological system, letting it free itself of blockages, and reconnect. EMDR is an integrative approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective in the treatment of trauma.
I have advanced training in integrating somatic psychotherapy with EMDR, called Natural Processing. It is a process-oriented somatic therapy that decreases or soothes the trauma that is remembered in the body where you “feel” triggered. Natural Processing can be appropriate for trauma, anxiety, illness, phobias, panic attacks, autoimmune, PTSD and many other emotional issues. It can be particularly helpful for Lyme and autoimmune patients because it is an emotional detox that helps the body restore and repair.
I am comfortable counseling from a faith-based perspective and incorporating prayer when it fits my client’s existing beliefs and needs.
Katie's Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and Maryland
- Advanced Trauma Certification from the Ferentz Institute
- Member of EMDR International Association
- Certified EMDR Therapist
- EMDRIA Approved Consultant in EMDR
- EMDRIA Approved Trainer in EMDR
- Natural Processing Levels I & II: Integrating Somatic Psychotherapy with EMDR
- Brainspotting practitioner
Prior Work Experience:
- Therapist: Outpatient program at Catholic Charities
Focus: Diagnoses and treatment plans - Therapist: Partial Inpatient program
Focus: Mental health groups & severe mental illness - Therapist: Wrap-Around Program
Focus: Youth with autism & behavioral issues - Counselor: Community College
Focus: Academic & Career counseling, designing model to address mental health - Counselor: Substance Abuse
Focus: Intake and group therapy
Lyme Literate
“I personally went undiagnosed with Lyme disease for years, the struggles I
encountered were real. I have a unique understanding of autoimmune and
Lyme disease and its impact on emotional health.” – Katie Chandler
Real People - Trauma
CONFIDENCE AFTER TRAUMA
42 year old Jill, diagnosed with PTSD, had a background of childhood abuse and stomach issues. Presented with waking anxiety in the mornings and GI complaints related to remembering early abuse. I started Natural Processing (Somatic EMDR) with her. Over a few months her anxiety was greatly reduced where she was not waking up with the same panic in the morning. Her stomach issues had improved where she was no longer having as many issues with food and gastroparesis. She was feeling more calm and able to talk about the abuse with her family, which she had never disclosed. She is now looking to be an advocate for others. 
Real People. Real Struggles.
Lyme is uniquely and particularly challenging because it has a tendency to isolate the patient, leaving them misunderstood by others. The symptoms and struggles are real, but perhaps more than any other illness I’ve worked with, its validity is questioned, its affects misunderstood—even by loved ones.
When I personally went undiagnosed with Lyme disease for years, the struggles I encountered were real. I have a unique understanding of autoimmune and Lyme disease and its impact on emotional health.
Common Struggles I’ve Seen:
Isolation and being misunderstood: Difficulty maintaining healthy relationships. Difficulty maintaining a place in society because of inconsistencies in wellness
Stigma from friends or institutions: “It’s always Lyme with you” “Hypochondriac” “Lazy” “You’re just depressed” “It’s all in your head”
Fear of never getting better: Fear to even be hopeful. Fear that comes from lacking a plan or failure to see progress
Frustration from missing out on life: When someone is no longer able to do the things they used to do, or should be able to do at their stage of life—be it college, romantic relationships, building a career, being a mother or father and it can be frustrating
Trauma exacerbating Lyme symptoms: Often patients aren’t aware of existing trauma, or the connections between their trauma and Lyme
Poor Treatment: Misdiagnosis, one-dimensional or ineffective treatment
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy uses bilateral stimulation, right/left eye movement, or tactile stimulation, which repeatedly activates the opposite sides of the brain, releasing emotional experiences that are “trapped” in the nervous system. This detoxes the neuro-physiological system, letting it free itself of blockages, and reconnect. EMDR is an integrative approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective in the treatment of trauma.
Natural Processing
Utilizes EMDR integrated with Somatic Psychotherapy or process-oriented somatic therapy to decrease the trauma that is remembered in the body where you “feel” triggered. Natural Processing can be appropriate for trauma, anxiety, illness, phobias, panic attacks, autoimmune, PTSD and many other emotional problems.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is an advanced brain body technique. It locates points in the client's visual field that help to access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain. It is especially helpful in the treatment of trauma, but also assists with anxiety, anger, ADHD, phobias, substance abuse, chronic pain/fatigue, impulse control and sports performance issues.
CBT
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on solutions, encouraging patients to challenge distorted cognitions and change destructive patterns of behavior.
Expressive Therapy
the use of art, music, creative writing and play within the context of psychotherapy
Integrative
combined and tailored approach to psychotherapy. Integrative therapists believe there is no single approach that can treat each client in all situations
Holistic
a therapeutic approach which addresses the interactions and connections of a person’s mind, body, and spirit
EMDR
Courtesy of EMDR International Association
Real People - Grief
A Struggle with Low Grade Depression and Fatigue
Jessica struggled with low-grade depression and fatigue. She also suffered from shin pain and eye issues. She was 32 years old and had recently suffered a miscarriage—when she came in she wanted to talk through the grief. After an initial evaluation I decided to refer her to my Lyme Literate practitioner in order to be tested for Lyme and co-infections. To her surprise, it was confirmed that she had bartonella, a coinfection of Lyme, which likely contributed to her miscarriage. Once treated, there were clear improvements to her symptoms and she was able to carry a healthy baby to full term.
“I work with my clients to recognize symptoms and develop an integrative model of therapy
that will address the whole person and their specific needs.”
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Real People - Abuse
A professional woman at 51 years old
Debbie had a background of sexual abuse and autoimmune issues. Fatigue was always an issue, and for a long time during her commutes to work she had to pull off to the side of the road to take naps. She began seeing me for EMDR therapy to treat the trauma related to the abuse. After one session of EMDR, she reported that she no longer had to take breaks on her commute. She was even sleeping better at night and was feeling more empowered in her relationships. EMDR removes emotional blocks and helps the brain process old traumas effectively. For Debbie, removing that emotional block helped her experience immediate physical improvement.
