Meet Valerie Cattany | Trauma Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Valerie Cattany and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Going back a bit was the decision to go to college. I’m the first one in my family to graduate from university, get a master’s degree. After completing my education, and working as a social worker for a couple of years, I decided to join the Peace Corps. That was an eye-opening experience to see how other people live and to be challenged to understand and even embrace another culture in order to be most effective in helping them advance their economic living situation through sustainable practices. I enjoyed Paraguay, the country I served in, and the people I met along the way. I learned to really enjoy Yerba Mate tea, as people in the rural community sat in a circle and shared the Mate tea using the same drinking vessel. One of the most striking things I experienced is even though people in the Campos (rural areas) didn’t have much, what they did have, they were always without question, willing to share with others. Education and traveling experiences have broadened my horizons and have helped me to see things from a different perspective.

In addition, part of being an effective therapist and private practice business owner is not to rely solely on current modalities one knows well and doing business as usual. It is important to be open to learning new and fresh ideas and techniques. Neuroscientists in particular have been doing plenty of studies on how the brain works in regard to trauma, depression and anxiety, and more new techniques are being created and presented at a steady pace. I can’t stress how important it is to stay up to date with the latest discoveries. That’s one of things I love about this field because you can be creative, and help people heal by combining techniques from various modalities. No one person presents the same even if they have the same diagnosis. It stands to reason that no one modality or technique will work for everyone. It can be challenging to try something new with clients when you have been doing something familiar, but that’s how gains and advances are made.

While I was researching different techniques for healing trauma, I found an article on psychedelic assisted therapy. Specifically, MDMA Assisted Therapy. Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) was looking to train therapists in this modality for the treatment of trauma. I immediately signed up. I was excited to be accepted. It was very inspiring and hopeful to see how this medicine along with therapy was helping to heal people who had been diagnosed with PTSD. We were required to complete an experiential experience. I selected an abbreviated version of Holotropic Breathwork. Breathwork is another tool that can help people in the process of healing. I also had an opportunity to train in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy. I plan to offer psychedelic assisted therapy, as it becomes legal to do so. I currently offer Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy in my private practice as that is legal at this time. Along with the other modalities that I utilize, EMDR, IFS and Somatic and Mindfulness techniques this is a powerful addition to my practice.

What should our readers know about your business?
I love helping people live their best lives possible. It’s so amazing when I see clients finally being able to give themselves permission to take up space in their world and when they realize deep in their bones they do belong and they are valued. It’s especially powerful and healing when one learns to value oneself. Self-compassion is difficult for many people to practice, and a big part of my job is helping people see that they also deserve compassion. Many of us are so used to having and extending our compassion for others but we are not so generous with ourselves.

I often feel a sense of gratitude and satisfaction when I am able to be a part of someone’s healing journey. It’s an honor to be able to witness someone awaken to the awareness of who they really are. Externally that can mean different things for different people. It may look like healing from their traumas, getting out from under the cloud of depression and/or greatly reducing anxious feelings, or laying out a clear path or embarking into the unknown while navigating a transitional point in their life. In part I do this by really listening and attempting to attune with my clients. One of the best parts of working with a client is helping them to recognize their strengths and how they can amplify, and capitalize on their strengths to aid in their own healing.  I have some powerful tools in my toolbox, but one of the main ingredients is the connection between myself and my client.

I specialize in treating adults who are dealing with trauma, PTSD and Complex/PTSD (which is also known as attachment trauma), depression, anxiety, and difficult life transitions. Some of the main modalities I utilize as stated above are EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness, Somatic techniques as well as Ketamine Assisted Therapy. I offer both in-person (in the Denver area) and virtual sessions.

I decided to name my business, Together In Wholeness Counseling Services. Reflected in the name Together In Wholeness is the idea that we are all at different junctures on our journey towards wholeness. As a person and as a therapist, I am committed to doing my own work to learn, to grow, and to evolve. It is usually in connection with others where we can be wounded, and in healthy connection with ourselves and others where we can find healing. I provide a supportive, safe, and collaborative space where I sometimes guide and sometimes walk alongside clients as they journey towards healing and wholeness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a good friend were visiting from out of town, I’d take them out west to the Rocky Mountains. Camping, Hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, anything outdoors any season the mountains are a great place to be. Going to a natural hot spring would top off the mountain adventures. In the city, the Santa Fe First Friday Art Walks are always interesting. Love the artwork and the people watching as well as a musician and/or bands playing for the crowd. Rino is an interesting place and Safta is a nice treat for good middle eastern food. Patzcuaros and Los Carboncitos are great Mexican restaurants. Meow Wolf is a must see for some immersive artwork. When Casa Bonita re-opens, that would be a fun place to try out; watch the cliff divers while dining on some hopefully good Mexican food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband Tom, my sister, Shelbie, and my teenage daughters, Natalie and Niki, have been very supportive. I have had a couple of good therapists that have helped me with my healing along the way. I have wonderful and supportive friends, like Kim and Brenda, along with others who provide unconditional support.  My colleagues, Janna, Caitlin, and others who continue to challenge me in wonderful ways that make me a better therapist.  Also, the people I work with, my clients; I have learned so much from them. They remind me every day that we can do hard things, that we are resilient, and that there are a lot of people with good hearts and good intentions, who are trying to make their corner of the world a better place.

Website: www.togetherinwholeness.com