Community Highlights: Meet Katie Linn of Katie Linn Counseling P.L.L.C.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Linn.

Hi Katie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my career as a kindergarten teacher in Houston, Texas, before relocating to Colorado to help establish an elementary school in the heart of Denver as its Director of Curriculum and Instruction. In that position, I assisted teachers in addressing a diverse range of student needs, both academically and emotionally. After half a decade in that role, I realized that I had a desire to learn more about the emotional needs of kids, so I went back to school at the University of Denver for my Masters in Social Work. I focused my studies on attachment and child development and loved diving into the science of it all. In 2020, I got to live out my mental health training when I gave birth to my first son right before the COVID pandemic began. We were also going through an incredibly difficult time in our family with my mother’s mental health, which ended with her taking her life in the fall of 2020. Having to navigate losing my own mother in the midst of starting my motherhood journey rocked my world and also emphasized the importance of prioritizing my wellbeing for myself and for the sake of my new baby. From this radical attempt at making room for my grief, joy, and all the emotions in between, I became passionate about helping parents with the transition to parenthood and all it entails. Parenthood can upend our identity and groundedness in profound ways, so I love to make room for that transition through therapy and also through parent coaching. This journey is long and can be incredibly challenging, so if I can walk with a parent through that, it feels like the biggest honor!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a mother of two young kids while starting a business is not easy! I know these early years go fast, so I want to be present with my boys before they are in school full time, so I only work part-time. I’m so thankful for that flexibility, but it also means a constant pull between my two biggest passions – my practice and my family. I also have to constantly be self-reflective and see where I need my own support or need for margin. As I mentioned, losing my mom put that all in perspective in a profound way, so I never take my own mental well-being lightly. Sometimes that means saying no to exciting opportunities, and sometimes it means giving myself the freedom to do more.

We’ve been impressed with Katie Linn Counseling P.L.L.C., 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’m so proud of building Katie Linn Counseling, and with it, my online presence as Your Therapist Mom Friend on Instagram and my website. As a therapist and a parent coach, I strive to be a supportive companion on each client’s journey through various seasons of life. I’m never going to put “shoulds” on you as a parent or an individual, and instead, will explore, validate, and encourage the parts of yourself that are coming to the table in a specific season. I’m a big believer in starting with curiosity, which I’ve found lends itself to natural growth and self-compassion. I work a lot with parents and the transition to parenthood, either through individual counseling or coaching, or in classes or talks with various organizations. I love geeking out on topics that impact us and sharing that knowledge in a collaborative and approachable way. I have led conversations with parents on everything from managing grief in motherhood to introducing technology to children. I am currently taking new clients for individual counseling, couples therapy for those who want to work on their marriage in the midst of introducing kids to the mix, and coaching clients who may be coming up against a parenting challenge that they could use help navigating. I love talking on podcasts and in big group settings about various topics, too. This is my life passion, so any and all venues and opportunities where I can encourage and champion parents, I’ll take!

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Oh man, it’s hard to narrow it down to one, but a recurring one that feels very present in every day of parenthood is to remember that giving your best looks different each day, and that it’s important to honor that ebb and flow. There is no super parent, and trying to be that is actually a disservice to yourself and your kids. Aim to be present, not perfect, and know that giving your best means giving what you can and going easy on yourself when that looks different from day-to-day and hour-to-hour.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yourtherapistmomfriend.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourtherapistmomfriend/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-linn/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhHS_aIllig&t=3s

Image Credits
Regan Rouse Photography
Brenna Skattebo Photography