We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katherine Goodman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Katherine, appreciate you joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

I’ll never forget this one morning at Camp Sisterhood—it was about 5 a.m., and I was in that in-between state of being half-asleep and half-awake. The first rays of light were just starting to peek through the blinds, and I was still wrapped up in this cozy warmth that only comes after two full days of non-stop energy of camp. We were in Lake Arrowhead, and this was our very first session of Camp Sisterhood, a sleepaway camp for girls. I was completely exhausted in the best possible way.

And then I heard this soft strum of a ukulele and these quiet, angelic voices singing. At first, I actually thought I was dreaming but then I realized it was a few of the campers singing outside our window, practicing the song the wrote about camp.

So, I just lay there for a second, listening. Their voices were so gentle, careful not to wake anyone up. They were singing, “Sun’s a beaming and the water’s gleaming, birds are singing in the trees, flowers blooming and the speakers booming, I never ever wanna leave…” I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I was still tucked under the blankets, but fully awake now, just soaking it all in.

The day before, we had this incredible singer-songwriter guest come in to lead a workshop. She taught the girls how to write a song—music, lyrics, the whole process—and they were paired up in groups with their counselors. What was amazing was that these girls didn’t even know each other before camp. But something clicked when they started writing this song together. It was about Camp Sisterhood, and I had no idea it would become the soundtrack of one of the most heartwarming weeks of my life.

Eventually I popped my head out the window, catching them mid-verse, and they gasped, “Oh my goodness! Sorry for waking you up!” They were half-laughing, half-embarrassed that they’d disturbed my sleep.

And I just smiled, trying to hold back my tears, and said, “That was the most beautiful way to wake up, girls.”

In that moment, I wasn’t thinking about being their camp leader or about all the activities we’d planned. I was just filled with gratitude. It was moments like that that showed me what we’re creating at Camp Sisterhood is truly magical.

Katherine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Dr. Katherine (Katie) Goodman, doctor of psychology with an emphasis in health, and I’ve always been fascinated by how the mind and body work together. My interest in psychology started early—probably earlier than it should have! I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at way too young an age, and it left a lasting impression on me. Growing up with a psychologist as a father also meant I was always curious about how people think, feel, and heal, which led me down the path I’m on today.

These days, I work with adolescents and adults, helping them through life’s challenges. Whether it’s navigating the transition into adulthood, dealing with mood and anxiety issues, or finding peace in their bodies, I’m here to support that journey. I also co-founded Camp Sisterhood, a therapeutic camp for girls, where we create a space for young women to connect, grow, and feel empowered to be their authentic selves.

What I love most about my work is seeing people—whether they’re teens dealing with anxiety or adults healing from trauma—reach a point where they feel shaped and strengthened by the challenges they’ve faced. It’s not just about finding solutions, because most people actually know what their problems are and what they need to do. Instead, it’s about understanding what’s blocking them from moving forward, and how approaching those parts of themselves with curiosity can open the door to deeper insight and healing.

At the heart of my work, it’s really about creating a space where people can explore, grow, and heal in whatever way feels right for them. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and I blend traditional therapy with biofeedback, creative outlets like art and music, and the healing power of nature to help each person find their own unique path to growth and healing.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was originally double majoring in music and psychology because I wanted to make a career out of being a pianist. I was classically trained in piano starting at the age of four and completed every level of the Certificate of Merit, which is a comprehensive program that evaluates musical theory, technique, and performance. My father is a concert pianist, and both of my grandparents were concert violinists, so music is a big part of my family.

One day, during a long conversation with my father, we talked about the beauty and the grueling nature of making music a career. He reflected on the eight hours of practice he put in each day while getting his first PhD in music. He shared that if I loved playing, I could play forever, but doing something for money wouldn’t necessarily validate its worth. He reminded me that piano would always be there for me, and I could choose to make it my love, not my livelihood.

So, at 20 years old and not yet knowing what life would teach me, I took his advice. I decided to focus on psychology but bring my love for music along with me. Over time, I began to see therapy through the lens of a musician—each session having its own theme, tone, and tempo. I also appreciated the improvisational nature of unstructured therapy, like a jazz piece without a time signature. It can be messy and unpredictable, but when it comes together, it’s meaningful and clear.

Ultimately, my career pivot wasn’t a full departure from music, but more of an integration. I found a way to bring music into my work as a psychologist, and it continues to influence how I approach therapy and the way I connect with my clients.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Liv and I first crossed paths in a health psychology class during our first year of grad school. We both admired each other’s responses to class discussions, but in that early stage of grad school, we didn’t rush to form a friendship. We figured we had four years ahead of us, so we let things unfold naturally. And then, COVID hit. Suddenly, we were both doing distance learning, and we didn’t see each other for several semesters.

Fast forward to another class we had together over Zoom. Somehow, we started chatting in the direct message box, responding to each other’s comments, and before we knew it, a friendship started to grow. Outside of class, we began hanging out and bonding over our shared interest in the mind-body connection, favorite authors, and psychological approaches like object relations and attachment theory. It felt like we were psychological soul sisters—our views on therapy were so aligned.

But just as our friendship deepened, Liv went away for her internship on the other side of the country. And then, the following year, I went to Hawaii for mine. For the first two years of our friendship, we were long-distance best friends. We scheduled a weekly phone call to make sure we never missed a chance to catch up and talk about our dreams—dreams of creating something special, like a camp for girls, and blending classic therapeutic approaches with inventive ideas.

Those weekly calls kept us connected and focused on our vision. And finally, in March 2024, we made those dreams a reality when we launched Camp Sisterhood.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.campsisterhood.org
• Instagram: goodmind_katherine