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

Willow, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a time when the advice you provided to a client was really spot on? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

Listen to your own gut. A therapist is a professional, but they can’t tell you what to do. They can help ask you the right questions to determine what the right course of action is for you. Clients are the experts on their own lives. My favorite thing to hear from a client is “that’a a great question”. That’s the biggest compliment I can receive.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’ve always been very curious about how people think and feel and what makes them do what they do. I decided to become a therapist early in college. My bachelor’s degree is in Psychology from NYU and my Master’s is in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Santa Barbara. I got my license in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2006, and practiced for about ten years total before I took a hiatus to raise my children when they were little. I started again briefly in 2018 and then fully jumped back in during Covid, doing teletherapy. I currently do a hybrid of teletherapy and in-office work. I work with adults, individuals and couples. For couple’s work, I have done the level 3 training in the Gottman Method, which is a research-based treatment designed to improve communication and relationship satisfaction, as well as address conflicts and build on positive aspects of the relationship. My goal for my clients is to increase their happiness with all areas of their life and to assist them on their journey to self-discovery and self actualization. I have a son with level 3 autism, so I enjoy working with parents of children with profound special needs.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I accept BCBS and United/Optum insurance. A lot of clients want to use their insurance because of the often unaffordable out of pocket costs for therapy, and it is part of my value system to make therapy as affordable for all as is possible. Many therapists don’t take insurance, so I don’t often have to worry about being as busy as I want to be.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

The wisdom of age. Bringing a tremendous amount of life experience to the table. Having firm boundaries and following ethical guidelines.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pinkchairpsychotherapy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkchairpsychotherapyatx/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkchairpsychotherapyatx

Image Credits
Willow Katz