The Mind-Body Connection: My Personal Journey to Becoming a Therapist
I first want to introduce myself. My name is Kat McNiece, and I am a Master of Social Work intern from the University of Denver. I am originally from Northwest Indiana, an area just outside of Chicago, Illinois, also known as “the region.” I moved to Colorado three years ago to be closer to family and friends and to have access to the mountains (sorry to the CO natives!). In addition to my passion for wellness, I enjoy deep belly laughing, being outdoors, reading, and frequent trips to San Francisco. I chose to become a therapist based on my own personal and professional experiences and my love for helping people.
Up until ten years ago, I lived my life wandering in the past or looking towards a hypothetical future. Following my grandfather’s death when I was 10 years old, I began exhibiting emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms associated with anxiety. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. I started cognitive behavioral therapy while taking a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Within a few months, I weaned off the medication (under supervision) because I knew that it wasn't the long-term solution. As I journeyed through adolescence, I successfully managed my anxiety and depression through self-taught strategies. I continued to listen to my body.
However, at 20 years old, I was hit head-on by a drunk driver. The fears originally rooted in the stressful life event of my grandfather’s death resurfaced. The accident and my job as a behavioral therapist for children with autism prompted me to explore a new form of anxiety management: yoga. This ancient mind-body practice combined with meditation reconnected me to myself and allowed me to be present. I learned to distinguish between what I can and cannot control, and with that understanding I found inner tranquility. I began using yoga and meditation with my clients on the autism spectrum to teach them how to regulate their emotions and to decrease inappropriate, aggressive behaviors.
After completing my yoga teacher training certification, fueled by my desire to understand more about anatomy, I started working in a chiropractic office. I learned how the nervous system, spine and stress (chemical, physical, and/or emotional) are connected. Introducing movement along with proper nutrition assisted my gut and brain in developing new strategies to adapt to stress and anxiety. I had found a direct link between my diet and my emotional state. All these experiences have shaped my holistic view on how I want to practice as a therapist. The mind, body, and spirit are interconnected, and I believe in treating the whole person. I hope to incorporate mindfulness strategies, yoga, and nature into my work.
My professional and personal journey has propelled me into a new perspective, a higher state of self-awareness that has ultimately changed my life for the better. I am very excited to offer services at MC+W and to guide clients to the transformation that I myself experienced!
