Katie Dunnigan, M.A.
Registered Psychotherapist

My journey to health:

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As a teen and young adult, I struggled for years with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and a deep feeling of loneliness. I felt numb and disjointed, and I struggled to know what I wanted or needed. Although I sought treatment from a variety of professionals, my painful patterns continued. I remember feeling resigned to my problems, and believing that they were all I would ever know. I also remember holding onto them tightly, and questioning who I would be without them. 

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In 2008 I met the late therapist and spiritual teacher, Viola Fodor. While I was seeking relief from my suffering and self-sabotaging, I had no idea that her program would take me on a much deeper journey of self-discovery. By learning to quiet my mind and open my awareness, I was able to wake up to who I am deep inside. I came to learn that I could use my symptoms as opportunities to grow, process my emotions on a deeper level, and nurture my intuition to make choices that are right for me. As I began to truly take care of myself, I watched my symptoms dissolve. The crutches I had used for years to cope and protect myself no longer served a purpose. I developed a clarity that had never been there before, and I stopped feeling lost, off-track, and out of control. I was able to tap into my own potential and heal myself from the inside-out.

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As I tapped into a true sense of wellness, I knew that my life was changing direction. My values shifted and I felt unfulfilled in the sales career I had settled into. I chose to return to school to complete a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, and I began working in the non-profit health system, specializing in mental health and addictions. I continually met and worked with people who expressed a longing to know themselves, and I felt a deep responsibility to them on a human level. I knew that surface-level "coping strategies" could only get people so far, and I wanted to help my clients reach their full potential. My work in the field, which was dominated by cognitive-behavioural therapy, felt so limited. I knew from my own experience that we are so much more than our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. I decided to quit my job and start a private practice, which finally gave me the freedom to teach others what I learned myself many years ago. Today, I help people explore all parts of themselves and discover what it means to do their "inner work."

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