Katie Sowerby

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Intern

I am a third-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at University of San Francisco (USF). Last year, I worked with children in a school-based setting using strengths-based narrative therapy techniques with individuals, pairs, and groups to address social, emotional, and behavioral concerns. I developed a client-centered approach that encourages clients to explore their inner world and highlights their motivation for personal growth. I am eager to learn about my client’s experiences, identify the narratives that shape how they view themselves, and discover their patterns of interaction with others. My commitment to client-centered and culturally sensitive care motivates me to empower individuals while acknowledging the factors that shape their subjectivity.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in one simple idea: the person is not the problem. Rather, I believe that each person has a unique context that influences their behaviors, includes their relationships, and reflects their sense of self. I encourage clients to take pride in their daily efforts for positive change, evaluate their relationships, and get to know their identities. Together, my clients and I will learn about their hopes, values, purposes, and intentions and notice how some of these things may contradict the client's current existence. 

I aim to create a non-judgmental therapy space that provides structure, challenge, and room for growth. While taking the client’s lead on what issues feel most important to them, I seek to externalize problems and co-create new meanings of identity, relationships, and ability. The goals of this process are to revise unhelpful narratives, realize how a problem can affect multiple domains of life, and celebrate successes. In our work together, clients can expect to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in ways that fundamentally shift how they conceptualize them.

Prior to my doctoral training, I worked as a researcher in the VA Healthcare System. Through this experience, I gained insight into the unique healthcare needs of the Veteran population and conducted research to improve Veterans’ healthcare experiences and outcomes.  

Education

PsyD, Clinical Psychology, University of San Francisco (Current)

BA, Neuroscience and Chinese Language & Culture, Macalester College