If you often find yourself overthinking, second-guessing your decisions, replaying conversations, dealing with intrusive thoughts, or seeking reassurance about whether you’re making the “right” choice, being a good person, or whether your actions were right or wrong, you’re not alone. Anxiety can complicate even the simplest decisions, leaving you feeling trapped in your own mind, especially when it’s linked to OCD symptoms.
About Me
Hi, I’m Katie Hummel, LCSW, and I specialize in working with OCD and anxiety disorders in St. Petersburg, FL. I also offer couples counseling for those who feel stuck, disconnected, or caught in recurring patterns and want to find a new path forward.
I’m an empathetic, straightforward, and down-to-earth therapist. My goal is to make therapy a comfortable and genuine experience—a place where you can come as you are, feel understood, and collaboratively address what’s been weighing on you.
As a private-pay therapist, I focus on providing personalized care that meets your individual needs and goals. Therapy can provide a safe space where you feel heard and understood while learning new tools to cope with intrusive thoughts, fears, and stress. Together, we’ll examine the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, working toward meaningful change. My role is to offer guidance, perspective, and support as you put these strategies into practice. Ultimately, my goal is to help you thrive, build self-confidence, and discover your inner strength. I utilize gold-standard treatments such as Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), combined with mindfulness to focus on the present moment. Additionally, I work to identify deep-rooted issues that may be subconsciously contributing to your distress. In other words, I focus on the whole person rather than just the symptoms, so you can truly begin to feel better instead of merely placing a bandage on the surface-level issues.
I support clients aged 18 and older and embrace all backgrounds and identities. My mission is to create a welcoming environment where everyone can be their authentic selves—because you are truly amazing just the way you are! If you're searching for an anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, or an OCD therapist near you, I’m here to help.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and persistent worry about various everyday aspects of life, including relationships, work, finances, health, and family, as well as anxiety about what the future may hold. If you're feeling overwhelmed by worry, you might notice that your anxiety is more prevalent than necessary, yet you may find it difficult to turn your mind off. This excessive worry can negatively affect your sleep, concentration, relationships, and overall enjoyment of daily life.
Symptoms of GAD may include:
- Persistent or excessive worry
- Difficulty controlling your anxiety
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
- Fatigue or mental exhaustion
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Muscle tension, particularly in areas like the neck or shoulders
- Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach issues
GAD can be triggered by a variety of factors, including genetics, temperament, life experiences, stress, and environmental influences, but there is no single definitive cause.
Fortunately, GAD is treatable. An experienced Anxiety Therapist in St. Petersburg, FL can help you identify the patterns that fuel your worry, challenge unproductive thinking processes, and develop healthier coping strategies to manage your anxiety. Therapy provides an opportunity to learn to tolerate uncertainty, allowing you to spend less time consumed by worry. If you're also facing challenges such as self-doubt or intrusive thoughts, seeking a Therapist for Intrusive Thoughts in St. Petersburg can be beneficial. For those in relationships impacted by anxiety, couples counseling in St. Petersburg, FL may offer valuable support.
Remember, you're not alone. Support from a knowledgeable OCD Therapist near you, particularly an OCD Therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can play a crucial role in your journey toward managing these feelings.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) consists of unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that you feel compelled to perform to alleviate anxiety or prevent something undesirable from occurring. If you're facing these symptoms, connecting with an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can be highly beneficial.
OCD doesn't always present itself through excessive cleaning or checking; compulsions can also remain confined to your mind. You might find yourself:
- Repeatedly checking locks, appliances, messages, or other items
- Washing or cleaning excessively due to fears of contamination
- Replaying conversations or memories to ensure you didn’t do anything wrong
- Seeking reassurance from loved ones
- Researching or comparing to find reassurance
- Mentally reviewing or analyzing your thoughts and feelings
- Needing things to feel 'just right'
- Avoiding situations that provoke intrusive thoughts or anxiety
- Worrying that an unwanted thought reflects something about your identity
- Repeatedly questioning whether you’ve made the right decision
These cycles may offer temporary relief, yet they often reinforce OCD by conditioning your brain to think that thoughts, feelings, or uncertainties must be resolved. If you’re grappling with anxiety stemming from these cycles, it’s wise to consult an anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, who comprehends your challenges.
While the precise causes of OCD remain unclear, factors such as genetics, brain biology, temperament, and life experiences may contribute.
OCD Treatment
OCD is treatable. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based approach that assists you in gradually facing your triggers and learning to resist compulsions and the need for reassurance. Engaging in couples counseling in St. Petersburg, FL, can also help you and your partner navigate the challenges that OCD introduces into your relationship.
The aim isn’t to eliminate every intrusive thought or achieve absolute certainty; instead, it’s to help you respond differently to uncertainty and intrusive thoughts so they have less power over your life. You don’t need to continue analyzing, checking, or seeking reassurance just to feel okay. If self-doubt is a concern, finding a therapist for intrusive thoughts in St. Petersburg, FL, can also be a vital step on your path to recovery.
Panic disorder is characterized by recurring, unexpected panic attacks and a constant fear of having another episode. These panic attacks can strike suddenly, often without a clear trigger, leading to feelings that are both overwhelming and intensely physical.
During a panic attack, you might experience symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing or a sensation of not being able to catch your breath
- A racing or pounding heart
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Shaking or trembling
- Excessive sweating or chills
- Feelings of weakness or instability
- Nausea or an upset stomach
- A sense of losing control or fearing something terrible might happen.
After a panic attack, you may become preoccupied with the possibility of another occurrence, which can result in avoiding specific locations, activities, or situations. This avoidance stems from the fear of experiencing another attack or feeling trapped.
The precise causes of panic disorder are often unclear. However, genetics, stress, life experiences, and other factors can contribute to its development. If you need support, an Anxiety Therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can assist you in managing these challenges.
Fortunately, panic disorder is treatable. Engaging in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with an OCD Therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can be effective. This approach helps you understand and react differently to physical sensations and anxious thoughts, ultimately reducing panic and the fear of future attacks.
You shouldn’t have to shape your life around the fear of panic. With appropriate support, including therapy for self-doubt in St. Petersburg, FL, you can cultivate the confidence to deal with anxiety without it dictating your actions. If you're grappling with intrusive thoughts, consider reaching out to a Therapist for Intrusive Thoughts in St. Petersburg for additional support. Couples Counseling in St. Petersburg, FL, may also be beneficial if you are dealing with these challenges together with a partner.
Social anxiety disorder involves intense fear or anxiety in social situations where you may feel watched, judged, embarrassed, or rejected. This condition can make everyday interactions significantly more stressful than they may seem to others.
As someone experiencing social anxiety, you may find yourself:
- Avoiding social situations or interactions
- Feeling extremely nervous about meeting new people
- Worrying about saying or doing the wrong thing
- Feeling afraid of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected
- Overthinking conversations before or after they happen
- Replaying interactions and wondering how you came across
- Avoiding speaking in front of others or being the center of attention
- Experiencing physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, a racing heart, or nausea.
Social anxiety can develop for various reasons, including genetics, temperament, past experiences, and environmental factors. As an anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, I can help you address these underlying causes.
The good news is that social anxiety is treatable. Approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can help you gradually face feared situations, challenge unhelpful patterns, and become more comfortable with uncertainty in social environments. If you also experience intrusive thoughts, finding a therapist for intrusive thoughts in St. Petersburg can provide the additional support you need.
You don't need to wait until you feel completely confident to begin living the life you desire. Whether through couples counseling in St. Petersburg, FL, or therapy for self-doubt, there are various options to help you rediscover ease in social interactions. Additionally, if you're looking for an OCD therapist near you, an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can help address those specific challenges.
Separation anxiety disorder involves intense fear or anxiety about being away from someone you feel closely attached to. While some separation anxiety is a normal part of early childhood, excessive and persistent fear can become a concern, interfering with everyday life. An experienced anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can help you understand and manage these overwhelming feelings.
Separation anxiety can affect individuals of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. You might find yourself excessively worrying about a loved one's safety, feeling distressed when apart from them, or avoiding situations that require separation, which ultimately impacts your relationships. Couples counseling in St. Petersburg, FL, can be especially beneficial for partners navigating separation anxiety together.
Symptoms may include:
- Intense distress when separated from a loved one
- Excessive worry about something happening to someone you care about
- Fear of being alone
- Difficulty sleeping without a loved one nearby
- Avoiding school, work, travel, or other activities due to separation
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or stomachaches
When separation anxiety starts affecting your relationships, work, school, or daily life, seeking therapy—such as with an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, FL—can be crucial in understanding the anxiety you face and developing healthier coping strategies. Furthermore, if you experience intrusive thoughts related to separation, a therapist for intrusive thoughts in St. Petersburg could offer vital support. Therapy for self-doubt associated with these fears is also widely available in the area and can greatly enhance your quality of life.
A specific phobia is an intense fear of a particular object or situation that often seems disproportionate to the actual danger present. Common examples of specific phobias include fears of spiders, heights, needles, flying, dogs, or other animals. If you find yourself struggling with a specific phobia, seeking help from an anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL can provide effective support.
You may experience symptoms such as:
- Intense fear or anxiety when confronted with the feared object or situation
- Avoidance of situations due to this fear
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shaking or trembling
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or an upset stomach
- A strong urge to escape
Phobias can develop for various reasons; they may arise following a frightening or stressful experience, stem from learned fears, or develop without an obvious cause. If phobias are disrupting your daily life, relationships, or work, therapy can be a valuable resource. For those also interested in couples counseling in St. Petersburg, FL, or those looking for specialized treatments like therapy for self-doubt in St. Petersburg, FL, many options are available.
Effective treatment for phobias often involves gradually confronting the feared situation in a safe, structured way while learning new strategies to cope with anxiety—something an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, FL can help guide you through. Furthermore, if you're dealing with intrusive thoughts related to your phobia, finding a therapist for intrusive thoughts in St. Petersburg could provide significant benefits.
Relationship OCD (ROCD) is a specific form of OCD characterized by persistent doubts and fears about a romantic relationship. Individuals often find themselves questioning whether they love their partner enough, whether their partner is the right fit, or if they are making the 'right' decision. If you're facing these challenges, seeking help from an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can be beneficial.
ROCD may involve compulsive behaviors such as checking your feelings, comparing your relationship to others, analyzing your partner's qualities, researching relationships, replaying past interactions, or frequently seeking reassurance. While these actions might provide temporary relief, they often perpetuate the cycle of doubt and anxiety. Collaborating with an anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can provide effective strategies to break this cycle.
Therapy can help you gain a deeper understanding of the OCD cycle and learn to respond differently to intrusive thoughts and the constant uncertainty that often accompanies ROCD. Treatments available through couples counseling in St. Petersburg, FL, may include Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and other evidence-based approaches.
The ultimate goal of therapy isn't to provide certainty about your relationship; rather, it's to empower you to stop letting uncertainty control your life. For those grappling with feelings of self-doubt, therapy for self-doubt in St. Petersburg, FL, can also be a helpful resource. Finding a therapist for intrusive thoughts in St. Petersburg can guide you on this journey to healing.
Relationships can be complicated. Sometimes the problem lies in communication, recurring conflict, feeling disconnected, or struggling to understand each other's needs. Other times, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, uncertainty, and patterns of reassurance-seeking and overthinking can make it challenging to feel secure in your relationship. If you’re looking for an anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, or an OCD therapist and you happen to be in a relationship, you are not alone in facing these challenges.
Whether you're navigating difficulties as a couple or trying to grasp your own relationship patterns, couples counseling in St. Petersburg, FL can offer a safe space to slow things down, engage in honest conversations, and uncover what's truly keeping you stuck.
My approach is straightforward, compassionate, and practical. As your therapist, I won’t dictate what you should do in your relationship or take sides. Instead, we will collaborate to identify the patterns that hinder you and develop healthier ways to communicate, manage challenging emotions, tolerate uncertainty, and make progress.
Sometimes, moving forward means learning how to reconnect and cultivate a healthier relationship together. Other times, it may involve recognizing that the best path is to part ways. My role isn’t to make that decision for you; it’s to help you understand what’s happening, facilitate honest conversations, and assist you in making choices that align with your values.
Anxiety and unresolved trauma can significantly impact your relationships. When your nervous system remains constantly alert, it hinders your ability to feel safe, trust others, communicate openly, or stay present during conflict. You may feel on edge, looking for signs that something is wrong, expecting the worst, or feeling a need to protect yourself from being hurt again. This heightened state can lead to suspicion, defensiveness, and difficulty trusting your partner—even when there are no immediate threats. If you’re looking for support, working with an anxiety therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can prove beneficial. For those experiencing intrusive thoughts, finding a therapist for intrusive thoughts in St. Petersburg can also help. Couples counseling in St. Petersburg, FL, provides effective strategies for navigating these challenges together.
Check out this article from Psychology Today: "10 Common Patterns Seen in Unresolved Relational Trauma."
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