MEET KATHARINE PETZOLD, LCSW-C
(she/her/hers)
Release pain & embrace intimacy.
I’m a therapist based in Easton, Maryland who specializes in helping couples and individuals foster closer, more authentic relationships in their lives.
i’m so glad you’re here.
You deserve to show up as your best self in life—your loved ones deserve that from you, too.
Whether you’re seeking therapy for you and your romantic partner or just yourself, you’re here because you know something needs to change.
Maybe you’ve been finding it hard to connect in a meaningful way. When conflict arises, things quickly go from a discussion to a fight, and it’s hard not to feel affected by the things that were said, even long after the argument is over. It can feel like you’re misunderstood or unheard by the people you care about most. Resentment and anger often linger, making it difficult to move past the hurt. You’re trying to make things work, but it feels like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle.
Therapy can help you understand yourself and your loved ones better, providing concrete tools and strategies to persevere through life’s ups and downs.
My approach
Let’s journey together toward deeper connection.
As a therapist, I’ve been referred to as being “smart with heart.” I love this sentiment, because I do bring my whole heart into my work. I care deeply about the work we do in my office and the clients who come to do it.
I respect the courage it takes to face the fear of showing up fully, authentically, and wisely—to risk rejection and pain by being vulnerable. And yet, I believe that it’s actually much harder to stay stuck in the patterns that aren’t working in your life than it is to learn something new. This is deep and important work that can change your life for the better— I know this from my own experience.
I believe genuine, authentic connection can help us heal even our deepest wounds—and I believe in your ability to connect and heal. Whatever you’re facing right now, I know it may seem easier to avoid your feelings or “manage” them away, but this strategy often backfires and leads to more suffering in the long run. I want to meet you where you are now with warmth, empathy, kindness, and a good sense of humor. I’ll walk beside you as we get curious about how you show up in your relationship and work together to learn how to show up with more wisdom and compassion.
This is my second career—my first was as a musician and brought me to more than 30 countries. From interacting with all kinds of people throughout the world, I’ve learned that we share a universal human experience, and have developed a deep appreciation for how it connects us. I keep this close to my heart in the work I do now, and it reminds me that the key to working through complex issues is to be compassionate and accountable. Plus, it gives me some great stories to share!
Therapy with me is…
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I acknowledge racism, the deep toll it takes on people of color, and the systemic injustices people of color face. I also acknowledge the discrimination that the LGBTQIA+ community faces and the trauma both of these groups may experience. I stand with marginalized communities as an ally, and work to create a safe space where individual and systemic experiences are acknowledged and validated.
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I will share my perspective, observations, and experiences with you when appropriate or useful to the work. This can help normalize the human experience and bring forward new insights. I’ll often ask things like “Are you open to my feedback around that?” and “Can I be direct with you?” or give you some words that may help you better express your feelings when you need them. I’ll help you begin to challenge yourself, often giving homework to do outside of sessions. While I will provide my relational expertise, I’ll also always seek your internal wisdom as you are the expert on yourself.
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I will approach our work with compassion, helping you confront challenges without judgment. I’m human, too, and know that our feelings and actions don’t always align with the kind of people we want to be. Because I want to see you grow, I will help you recognize and confront the ways in which you’re getting in your own way. Then, you can be aware of them moving forward and make choices from that awareness. When I do this, it’s because I believe in your ability to embody the best version of yourself, and want to help you get there.
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I’ve never met a feeling that doesn’t make sense. Sometimes, it just takes some time to untangle its origin. Though the work we’ll do in therapy will be hard at times, it has the potential to change your life for the better. You’ll have the words, skills, and perspective to know how you show up in your relationships, when and why something might be triggering a reaction from you, and how to deal with that in a healthier way. When you can respond from a place of compassion—for yourself and others—you’ll have more joyful and intimate relationships. And when you reflect, you’ll be able to say you like how you showed up and the kind of person you embodied.
MY SPECIALTIES
I help people have more authentic & honest relationships.
Relational Life Therapy
Helping couples build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
Couples
Addressing and resolving relationship issues to foster intimacy and understanding.
Discernment Counseling
Guiding couples in making informed decisions about the future of their relationship.
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Northwestern University, Evanston, IL: Bachelor of Science in Theater
University of Maryland at Baltimore, School of Social Work: Master of Social Work
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Certified Relational Life Therapist
Certified Facilitator of Relational Life Therapy's (RLT's) Relationship BootcampCertified in Discernment Counseling
Sensorimotor PsychotherapyTM Level One
Training Level One TheraplayTM and Marschak Interaction MethodTM (MIM)
Certificate in Trauma Treatment from the Ferentz Institute
Certificate in Trauma Education Connection Initiative (TECI), University of Maryland Baltimore
Training Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral TherapyTM (TF-CBT)
Tier 1 Intensive Training Collaborative Problem SolvingTM
Expertise in Anti-Human Trafficking and Clinical Considerations in Treatment
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Guest Lecturer at University of Maryland at Baltimore, School of Social Work
Salisbury University
Chesapeake College
Wicomico Department of Health - Minority Youth Outreach Program
Queen Anne County Department of Health
SWELL Conference
MidShore Behavioral Health
Channel Marker
Talbot County Forensic & Crisis Work Group
Carter Center (DJS Facility)
Caroline County Multidisciplinary Team
Collaborations with Eastern Shore Human Trafficking Task Force
Choices Pregnancy Center
