Anxiety & Trauma Therapy in Louisville, KY + Online in 43 States
You’ve always been the “easy” one. Adaptable, responsible, holding it together. But somewhere along the way, trying to be perfect became exhausting, and you’re left wondering if anything you do is ever enough…
You Might Be Here Because…
- Constant overthinking and pressure to be perfect leaves you exhausted, even when you’re “succeeding”
- You say yes when you want to say no, then feel resentful or burned out later
- You’re good at meeting everyone else’s needs, but unsure how to name or prioritize your own
- You feel on edge, like one mistake could let someone down or change how they see you
- A past relationship has left you questioning your reality, doubting yourself, or wondering if you were the problem
- Relationships feel unpredictable: You’re constantly fearing abandonment and worrying where you actually stand
These patterns often start early—when being helpful, accommodating, or low-maintenance felt like the safest way to get your needs met. But what helped you survive childhood doesn’t just disappear. It shows up in how you navigate relationships, how you talk to yourself, and how your body responds to stress today.
The Shift You’re Looking For
Therapy for anxiety and trauma can help you move from where you are now to where you want to be:
From…
- Exhaustion and pressure to be perfect
- Putting everyone else’s needs first
- Questioning your reality and doubting yourself
- Fear of abandonment and constant worry
- Guilt when you try to set boundaries
To…
- Contentment and peace in your daily life
- Finally putting yourself first
- Clarity, confidence, and trusting yourself again
- Connections that feel safe and steady
- Honoring your own needs without guilt
Meet Dr. Katie DeShields, Licensed Psychologist in Louisville, KY
I help people struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, overthinking, and the lasting effects of childhood trauma or emotional neglect. We work together to understand how your past is shaping your anxiety and relationship patterns to help you feel more grounded, trust your own judgment, set boundaries without guilt, and stop abandoning yourself to keep others comfortable.
I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to help you step out of the mental and emotional spiral. Instead of endlessly analyzing or trying to think your way out, we focus on understanding what’s driving the pattern and building the skills to respond differently. The goal is to move out of old fear, guilt or obligation and build a life based on your values, your needs, and what actually matters to you.
Get to know Dr. Katie DeShields → About Me
Therapy Services
I provide specialized therapy for adults dealing with anxiety, trauma, and relationship patterns rooted in what they experienced (or needed but didn’t get) in their childhood:
I know reaching out can feel like a big step, especially when you’ve been managing everything on your own for so long. Here’s what getting started actually looks like:
We’ll talk about what’s been weighing on you, what you’re hoping to change, and what you need in a therapist. There’s no pressure, just a chance to see if it feels like a good fit.
2. What your initial sessions looks like
We’ll untangle the anxiety and start making sense of what’s been happening beneath the surface. You don’t need to arrive with all the answers. We’ll figure it out together as we go.
3. Build a life that reflects what matters to you
Over time, you’ll get clearer on what actually matters to you and start making choices from that place instead of from fear or obligation. The shifts are real and they last.
Therapy in Louisville, KY & Online Across Many States
As a licensed psychologist in Kentucky and a PSYPACT provider, I offer both in-person therapy in Louisville and virtual therapy across many states.
Online therapy is ideal if you:
- Are a busy professional or parent with a packed schedule
- Prefer meeting from the comfort of your own home
- Live outside Louisville but within Kentucky or a PSYPACT state
- Need to eliminate commute time
- Want to work with a therapist who truly gets you rather than being limited to who’s available locally
Whether you meet with me in my office or online, the work is just as meaningful. It’s really about what fits best with your life and what feels right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does anxiety therapy involve?
Anxiety therapy isn’t about chasing the latest wellness trend, white-knuckling your way through panic attacks, or sitting in the lotus position for three hours —it’s about understanding why your nervous system is stuck in protection mode. I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you understand the roots of your anxiety, develop compassion for the parts trying to protect you, and build a life based on your values rather than fear.
Learn more about anxiety & high-functioning anxiety → Anxiety Therapy
How is trauma therapy different from just talking about what happened?
Anxiety therapy focuses on managing worry and nervous system activation, while trauma therapy addresses the underlying experiences—childhood emotional neglect, narcissistic parents, relational wounds—that created the anxiety. Many clients discover their anxiety is actually their nervous system responding to old trauma; once we process that, the anxiety naturally shifts.
Learn more about Trauma therapy
Do you take insurance?
I’m a private pay therapist, which means I don’t bill insurance directly. This gives you complete privacy and allows me to focus entirely on your care without insurance limitations. I accept cash, check, credit and debit cards for payment. Many clients also use HSA or FSA funds to cover sessions, and I provide superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
More information about rates and payment can be found here: → Rates & Payment Options
What if I don't know where to start?
You don’t need to have it figured out before we start…that’s what I’m here for. In our free consultation, we’ll talk about what led you to consider therapy, and we’ll identify how these different concerns are actually connected, so you’re working with the real roots instead of treating symptoms separately. Most clients come in with multiple concerns (anxiety, relationship stress, feeling stuck), and together we’ll find the thread connecting them so you’re not trying to solve ten separate problems.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation: → Contact Me
Contact me today to book your consultation