Meet Our Newest Counselor, Katie Cheatham

Recently I had the opportunity to hear from our newest counselor, Katie Cheatham, about her calling as a counselor and desire to help others heal and grow. Katie sees clients at our new Maitland location, which is located at Maitland Presbyterian Church. To schedule an appointment with Katie, please call our office at 407-405-7677.

Michael: Why do you enjoy being a counselor?

Katie: I enjoy walking alongside people as they learn more about themselves, their emotions, and their stories. I think that we can often make more sense of our overwhelming emotions and our reactions to others when we look at our past experiences. I enjoy helping people make connections between stories from the past and their responses in the present and start to untangle patterns that are no longer helpful. I believe that understanding ourselves better also helps us to know God better, and it allows us to live more fully into who God created us to be. It is an honor and a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they start to experience healing and freedom.

M: Why did you decide to become a counselor?

K: In college, I had planned to become a physical therapist, and I spent several years working with the rehab team at a local trauma center on my summer breaks. I enjoyed watching people learn to walk again or regain skills they had lost due to illness or injury, but after dealing with some health issues of my own, I realized that there are often mental and emotional wounds left over from accidents or traumatic experiences that don’t disappear when the physical healing is finished. I have found a lot of healing in my own counseling journey, and I want to share that opportunity for healing with others. 

M: What is something that has shaped you as a counselor?

K: God created us to be in relationship with other people, but for many years, I was afraid to be vulnerable and let people really get to know me. As a result, I often felt lonely, even when I was spending time with friends. When I started working towards my master’s in counseling, my classmates and my counselor encouraged me to embrace more vulnerability. It was terrifying at first to risk letting people get to know me more deeply and stop making it look like I had it all together. Over time, though, opening up to people I trusted was life-changing and freeing. I long to help my clients reach that space where they too experience the freedom of feeling known, seen, heard, and deeply loved.

M: What is something you are learning?

K: I am currently learning to embrace the joy and adventure of learning new things, even if it involves making mistakes. I have often felt self-conscious and anxious about making mistakes, which kept me afraid of trying new things in case I messed up. Making mistakes is part of the learning process, though, and I’m learning that there are so many amazing things to explore, whether it’s a new instrument, hobby, language, or sport. I have discovered so much joy and freedom in allowing myself to try something new and not give up when I make mistakes (because I’m probably not going to get it right the first time or maybe even the tenth time!). I’ve also realized that it helps to have supportive friends encouraging me as I explore something new.

M: What provides you joy and rest?

K: I absolutely love to swing dance, and I’m learning several other styles of dance now too. When I’m dancing, I experience joy and feel the freedom to learn, have fun, and laugh at my mistakes in the context of a very welcoming community. I also enjoy resting by playing the guitar, spending time with friends and family, cooking, going on walks, and enjoying sunsets.

M: What are some tips you would give someone who is in counseling in order to increase the odds of successful treatment outcomes?

K: I experienced the most healing in my own counseling when I learned to be honest with myself and with my counselor about my painful emotions and my hurt. Reaching this level of vulnerability took time, but once I did open up more to my counselor, I started to feel more deeply seen and heard and understood, and really feeling known is incredibly healing.