Provider Spotlight: Kathia Rabelo, LMFT
Originally from Brazil, this month’s spotlight provider, Kathia Rabelo, LMFT, came to Portland by way of Los Angeles. And since she doesn’t enjoy hot weather, the Portland area seems like a good fit!
In LA, Kathia worked as a therapist at a university for ten years. This experience allowed her to see a diverse population of students and staff, and she loved working with the students as they navigated their journey into adulthood. She enjoyed the collaborative work with people from different cultures and backgrounds, which allowed her to dive into the relational aspect of therapy.
Switching Gears
Kathia married and moved to Portland during the pandemic, becoming fully self-employed for the first time as she established her solo practice. And as we know, that extraordinary time of COVID created a vast need for mental health services around the country.
After setting up her practice here, the demand for Kathia’s services accelerated as people sought support during such a difficult time. And the availability of virtual appointments made therapy more accessible to those who may not have the time or transportation to get to a therapist’s office.
Healing and Building Relationships
While she cannot possibly see and treat every person who reaches out, Kathia cherishes the time she is with clients. Her work is highly relational, and she works carefully and intentionally to build a safe space for her clients where they can examine all of their relationships.
“I really believe that we all can have much better relationships, friendships, connections. We just don’t know how to. So I always feel we can have a much better life, much better connections when we understand who we are and how we can impact, in a positive or negative way, other people.”
In her practice, Kathia sees adults for individual and couples counseling. She incorporates Gestalt Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. When appropriate, she also incorporates meditation into her work with clients.
Self-Care Is Non-Negotiable
One relationship that Kathia is careful to protect is the one with herself. As a therapist serving people during a pandemic, she recognizes how crucial it is that she takes care of herself so that she can continue caring for others. Although it’s painful to Kathia that she can’t say ‘yes’ to everyone who seeks her services, she knows that her boundaries and self-care are vital to doing this work.
When she’s not with clients, Kathia enjoys yoga, tennis, and riding her bike. She also loves getting out for a hike and being near lakes and rivers. Kathia’s wife, Heidi, is a teacher in a local elementary school. Obviously, helping to build community is important to both of them! Kathia and Heidi adopted a rescue dog, Asha, who keeps them busy and happy.
You can connect with Kathia here to learn more about her and her availability. Kathia is licensed in California and Oregon and can serve clients in both states.
