About
Hi! I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Registered Art Therapist, and I’ve been lucky enough to spend the past 13+ years helping children, adolescents, young adults, and families navigate the messy, complicated, and sometimes wonderful process of growing and figuring things out.
I firmly believe that healing and growth happen best when we feel connected—to ourselves, to other people, and to the world around us. For me, that human connection is at the heart of therapy. Before anything else, I want my clients to feel comfortable, understood, and accepted for exactly who they are.
I have provided individual and group art therapy in a variety of settings, including schools, a therapeutic preschool, an inpatient hospital, and private practice. My experience includes working with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental differences, sensory processing challenges, anxiety, depression, and a variety of social and emotional concerns.
I use a combination of counseling and art therapy to help clients explore what they’re experiencing, build new skills, and discover healthier ways to cope and connect. Sometimes that means talking things through. Sometimes it means making art. And sometimes it means doing a little of both. I love that art therapy gives clients another way to express things that can be difficult to put into words.
I earned my Master of Arts in Counseling: Art Therapy from Adler University in Chicago in 2011. While living in Chicago, I provided group art therapy at an inpatient hospital serving clients across the lifespan, as well as art therapy in a therapeutic preschool. After moving to Raleigh in 2013, I began working in private practice, where I’ve continued to support children, adolescents, young adults, and their families as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions.
When I’m not working, you’ll most likely find me with my husband, our three kids, our dog, and our cat—which means life at home is rarely quiet! I love making art, reading a good book, running, and yoga. I’m also a big believer in getting outside, laughing whenever possible, and accepting that sometimes the best-laid plans go completely sideways.
Catherine (Katie) Dunlap, MA, LCMHC, ATR
License #11393
