Community Highlights: Meet Katelyn Adducci of Katelyn Adducci Counseling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Adducci.

Hi Katelyn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My path to becoming a therapist and starting my own practice wasn’t linear, but it’s been rooted in both personal experience and a long-standing desire to show up for others in a meaningful way. After undergrad, I began working at an inpatient psychiatric hospital, where I spent over four years supporting individuals navigating eating disorders, substance use, and complex mental health challenges. That experience taught me a lot about resilience and opened my eyes to the depth of human suffering—and also the strength that lives inside it. It was during that time that I realized I wanted to go deeper with people than the crisis setting usually allows.
I went back to graduate school to become a licensed clinical therapist and registered art therapist. During my training, I had the opportunity to work with individuals and families undergoing cancer treatment. Being part of those moments in people’s lives was incredibly humbling. Supporting someone through something like cancer isn’t about having the right words or offering solutions—it’s about being present with them in the reality of what they’re carrying. Sometimes there is no fixing it. Sometimes what’s needed most is steady, calm, and nonjudgmental presence. Those experiences continue to shape how I approach therapy: with attentiveness, care, and deep respect.
Starting my own private practice was something I thought about for years but never quite felt “ready” to do. It was the support and encouragement of people in my life that helped me move through the doubt and take the leap—and I’m so glad I did. Today, I run a virtual private practice serving adults in Colorado and Illinois. I work with thoughtful, empathic, and creative people—many of whom have spent years prioritizing others—who are learning to turn that care inward. Many of my clients have experienced painful relationships that have impacted how they see themselves. Together, we work to gently untangle those patterns, rebuild self-trust, and cultivate the compassion needed to form relationships that feel safe, mutual, and healing. We focus on reconnecting with values, shifting long-standing relational dynamics, and creating lives that feel more grounded and intentional.
Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed people move through profound pain—and I’ve seen what’s possible on the other side. This work means a great deal to me, and I’m grateful every day to do something that feels so aligned with who I am.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It most definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a meaningful one. Over the past 12+ years, I’ve worked with kids, adults, older adults, and families—in inpatient hospitals, medical settings, IOPs/PHPs, and private practice. Every setting and population taught me something, and over time I realized that while I valued those experiences, the structure I was working within didn’t always support how I wanted to show up as a therapist. Burnout was something I experienced firsthand, and it pushed me to reflect more deeply on what I needed to make this work sustainable for me. I came to see how important autonomy was for me. The entrepreneurial side of private practice has actually been fun—I’ve enjoyed learning how to run a business in a way that aligns with my values and allows me to keep growing. I don’t think the path needs to be perfect to be meaningful. The challenges I’ve faced—personally and professionally—have deepened my empathy, given me clarity on what works for me and what doesn’t, and helped me become a more intentional clinician. I’m proud of the practice I’ve built, but even more than that, I’m proud of the way I’ve learned to take care of myself while holding space for others.

We’ve been impressed with Katelyn Adducci Counseling , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I offer virtual therapy for adults in Colorado and Illinois, with a focus on supporting deeply feeling, intuitive, and creative people—especially those who’ve spent much of their lives caring for others and are now learning to care for themselves. Many come to therapy navigating anxiety, perfectionism, and relationship challenges. In always being the strong one, the helper, or the caretaker, they’ve often lost touch with their own needs—or even their sense of self. My work is relational and values-driven. I tend to see emotional struggles as meaningful responses to trauma, pain, stress, or unmet needs. Therapy, to me, is a collaborative space to explore what it means to live in alignment with who you really are. I integrate traditional talk therapy with art therapy, offering creative, reflective approaches for clients who process beyond just words. Together, we explore boundaries, emotional regulation, self-compassion, self-trust, and how to live with more intention. What I’m most proud of are the therapeutic relationships I’ve built—ones grounded in warmth, trust, respect, and care. I try to show up for my clients the way others have shown up for me in the times I’ve needed it most. At its core, my work is about helping people come back to themselves.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
As a relational therapist, it probably comes as no surprise that the relationships in my life have played a huge role in helping me get to where I am. My partner and my parents have been steady sources of support, encouragement, and perspective. When I doubted myself, my partner reminded me that starting my own practice aligned with the kind of life I truly wanted—more flexibility, autonomy, and space to care for myself in a sustainable way. My dad, a retired small business owner, has always encouraged me to take risks and trust myself. His creativity, integrity, and belief in doing what’s right have shaped how I approach my work. And my mom, a retired teacher, has modeled quiet strength and deep compassion—her kindness is something I try to bring into the therapy room every day. My therapist friends have offered so much support and encouragement along the way. A former boss and supervisor helped shape how I think about therapy—reminding me that our role isn’t to fix, but to truly be present. Through SCORE, I connected with a mentor who guided me through the business side of private practice with clarity and intention. I also learn from my clients constantly. It’s an honor to witness someone reclaim their voice, their boundaries, and their sense of self. And of course, my furry support team—Charlie, Walter, and Hobbes—who I get to hang out with every day as a virtual therapist. They’ve made the work-from-home life a whole lot sweeter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katelyn-adducci.clientsecure.me./
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/katelyn-adducci-denver-co/1458211