Areas of Expertise:

Individual Counseling

  • Life Transitions
  • Stress Management
  • Relationship and Intimacy Challenges
  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Grief and Loss
  • Chronic Pain and Illness
  • Performance Anxiety
  • Sports Counseling
  • Professional Performance

Couples Counseling

  • Open Communications
  • Sex and Intimacy
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Shared Vision
  • Family and In-laws

About Me

I graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in Psychology and from Portland State University with a Masters of Social Work. In addition, I am a licensed Clinical Social Worker. In my early career I helped victims of domestic violence, worked in crisis counseling, community mental health and with patients in hospital clinics. Now I counsel individuals and couples with a variety of life issues, helping them overcome limiting beliefs, live from their hearts and transform their lives. A lifelong runner, I started competing in triathlons in 2009 after surviving cancer. Because I am a competitive triathlete and a triathlon team coach I am in a unique position to help athletes improve their level of mental performance and success. Like athletes, professional leaders face daily obstacles to their game plan and victory. As a counselor and coach I am passionate about helping CEOs, Executive Directors, business owners, entrepreneurs, lawyers and other professionals achieve their highest levels of performance and success.

Professional Qualifications

  • Masters of Social Work from Portland State University
  • Washington Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
  • Professional Enrichment Seminars at the Leadership Institute of Seattle
  • Member of National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • Certified Sports & Performance Counselor

My therapeutic approaches include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Family of Origin Theory, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Mindfulness Approaches and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy inform my practice with athletes and others regarding performance enhancement. A few of the theorists who have influenced my practice are: Virginia Satir, Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, Carol Gilligan, Frank Gardner, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

Follow Me

 Schedule a phone call with Kathy Underwood, MSW, LICSW Seattle Psychotherapist