Katie Carhart, PhD

I am a clinical psychologist with 13+ years of experiencing helping adults and couples find calm, clarity, and connection through a trauma-focused, neurodivergence-affirming approach.

Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based approaches that honor both mind and body. I specialize in helping high-achieving, sensitive, or neurodivergent adults who feel disconnected from themselves (stuck in cycles of anxiety, people-pleasing, burnout, trauma patterns, or perfectionism) reconnect with their inner clarity and build lives that feel authentic, grounded, and sustainable.

Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed on the inside while functioning well on the outside. They’re the dependable ones, the overthinkers, the helpers, the high performers, or the ones who have always “held it together” for everyone else.

They often say things like:
• “I know what I should do, but I still feel dysregulated or stuck.”
• “I’m exhausted from managing everyone’s needs except my own.”
• “I feel disconnected from myself, even though nothing is ‘falling apart.’”
• “I want to feel aligned again, not just surviving.”

If this resonates, you’re in the right place.

My Approach
I work from a trauma-informed, somatic, polyvagal, and neurodivergence-affirming lens. This means I’m paying attention not just to your thoughts, but also to your nervous system, your patterns of protection, and the ways your body has learned to keep you safe. My goal is not quick fixes, it’s sustainable change rooted in self-understanding and regulation.

Together, we’ll look at your experiences with curiosity rather than judgment and explore:
• how your nervous system responds to stress and relationships
• the stories and patterns you’ve carried from past environments
• the roles you’ve learned to play (the achiever, the caretaker, the perfectionist)
• the boundaries that feel hard to set or maintain
• the parts of you craving rest, connection, or permission
• the values and vision you want for the next chapter of your life

I help clients move from chronic overwhelm into steadier states of alignment, where their actions match their values, their relationships feel more supportive, and their internal world feels less chaotic and more grounded.

What It’s Like to Work Together
My style is warm, attuned, and direct when needed. I offer a blend of insight-oriented therapy, skills for emotional regulation, and concrete tools for executive functioning and daily structure, especially for clients who are neurodivergent or living with ADHD.

You can expect:
• a thoughtful, thorough assessment process
• a collaborative plan that we build together
• space for both depth and practical skill-building
• an environment that affirms your identity and lived experience
• a focus on nervous system regulation, not just “talking about problems”
• ongoing check-ins about what’s working and what feels off
• a balance of compassion, structure, and realness

Clients often tell me I provide equal parts grounding, clarity, and gentle accountability.

Who I Work Best With
I work especially well with adults who are:
• high-achieving but exhausted
• neurodivergent or exploring ADHD/ASD traits
• struggling with anxiety, burnout, or emotional overwhelm
• navigating trauma histories, complex family dynamics, or chronic stress
• healing from people-pleasing or fawning patterns
• tired of insight without integration
• ready to experience actual change, not just cope

My clients tend to be deeply self-aware, but unsure how to translate that insight into new patterns, new boundaries, and new ways of being. If you’ve read all the books, listened to all the podcasts, or tried therapy before but never felt fully “met,” my approach may feel different.

Specialties & Focus Areas
• Anxiety, overthinking, chronic worry
• Trauma, attachment wounds, and developmental trauma
• Burnout, high-functioning stress, and breakdown-to-breakthrough cycles
• ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and emotional regulation
• Perfectionism and people-pleasing
• Life transitions, identity shifts, and values-based alignment
• Mind–body integration and nervous system healing
• Relationship stress, communication patterns, and boundaries
• Support for helpers, professionals, creatives, parents, and caregivers

My Background
I am a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of Align & Empower Therapy, PLLC. I have more than a decade of experience in clinical practice, teaching psychology at the college level, and providing trauma-informed, integrative, and somatic approaches to mental health. I am licensed in Arizona, Connecticut, and Florida, and PSYPACT-authorized to provide telehealth to clients in many additional states.

My work is shaped by psychology, neuroscience, and a deep respect for the nervous system’s wisdom and resilience.

Therapy Logistics
I provide therapy virtually, offering flexibility and accessibility for adults with busy lives, caregiving responsibilities, or demanding careers. My practice is private-pay, which allows us to work without the limitations of insurance-driven treatment models and create a process centered truly around your needs. I provide superbills monthly and offer access to Reimbursify to help support the reimbursement process.

Workshops & Educational Offerings
In addition to therapy, I offer live, virtual workshops for adults who want practical tools without committing to ongoing therapy. On 12/11 I will be hosting: A Psychologist’s Guide to Holiday Burnout, a 90-minute educational session offered at an affordable price point and open to adults nationwide. The workshop includes a downloadable workbook, grounding strategies, nervous system tools, and skills for setting boundaries and navigating emotional overwhelm. (Workshops are educational only; not therapy.)

If You’re Considering Therapy
Reaching out can feel vulnerable, especially when you’re used to handling everything on your own. I offer a free consultation so we can explore whether we’re a good fit and give you space to ask questions. My goal is for you to feel seen, understood, and supported from the very first conversation.

If you’re ready for deeper alignment, clearer boundaries, sustainable energy, and a nervous system that feels more regulated and resilient, I’m here to help. I offer free consultations so that you can ask any questions you have and make sure you feel we're a good fit before moving forward.