Katherine Ruttenbur, NCC

Katherine Ruttenbur

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” —Carl Rogers

These words reflect Katherine’s counseling philosophy and the heart of her work with clients. She believes that lasting change grows out of acceptance—when people feel safe enough to acknowledge who and where they are, they create space for meaningful growth. To Katherine, therapy is not about achieving perfection but about walking a process, one step at a time, with compassion and curiosity leading the way.

Katherine is a compassionate counselor who specializes in supporting children, adolescents, teens, adults, and families through life’s challenges. She provides a warm, nonjudgmental space where clients can navigate emotions, build skills, and gain confidence in themselves.

Education

Katherine earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and went on to complete a Master of Education in Counseling at Lindsey Wilson College. She has specialized training in Brainspotting for both adults and children and adolescents. Katherine integrates pediatric Brainspotting with play and art therapy to help children process trauma, anxiety, overwhelming emotions, and other life challenges in developmentally appropriate ways.

Style

Katherine works from a person-centered and trauma-informed perspective, meeting each client with warmth and respect. She believes that people thrive when they feel safe, heard, and supported, so she creates a space where they can express themselves freely. Katherine integrates Brainspotting, CBT skills, art therapy, and play or creative interventions to meet the unique needs of each client. When working with children, Katherine thoughtfully integrates Brainspotting into play and creative interventions, allowing young clients to process difficult experiences in ways that don’t rely solely on talking. She meets each child where they are developmentally while creating a safe, supportive environment for healing and growth.

Specialties

Katherine works with clients ages 4 through 65+ who are navigating a wide range of challenges. She frequently supports individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and difficulties with life transitions or school adjustment. She also helps families strengthen their relationships and provides guidance through blended family issues and divorce adjustment. For those who wish, she offers faith-based counseling with sensitivity and respect. In addition, Katherine specializes in Brainspotting with children and adolescents, combining this approach with play and art therapy to support emotional regulation, trauma processing, and resilience.
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