Welcome to The Image of You Counseling, LLC.
Empowering Your Journey Toward Mental Wellness
Are intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or self-doubt making you feel like you’ve lost yourself?
Welcome! I’m Katie Hummel, LCSW, an anxiety specialist in St. Petersburg, and a therapist specializing in OCD, anxiety disorders, couples work, and self-esteem. I work with individuals and couples who feel stuck in patterns of overthinking, intrusive thoughts, relationship struggles, and emotional distress. If you’re searching for an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, an anxiety therapist, or relationship counseling, you’re in the right place.
Many of my clients come to therapy feeling disconnected—from themselves and from others. You might find yourself asking, “Who am I anymore?” “What do I want out of life?” “Why do I keep suffering?” “Will I ever feel happy?” or “Why can’t I connect with people?” These experiences are common with OCD, anxiety, and unresolved trauma—and they are treatable.
I use evidence-based approaches, including CBT & ERP therapy, along with talk therapy to help clients manage intrusive thoughts, reduce anxiety, improve self-esteem, and build healthier relationships. My work focuses on helping you understand your patterns, develop practical tools, and create lasting change—not just temporary relief.
In therapy, we work as a team—I’m right there with you, straightforward, down-to-earth, nonjudgmental, and actively engaged. I emphasize Embracing, Evolving, and Thriving—not just coping. My goal is to help you feel grounded, confident, and like yourself again. I bring warmth, honesty, and humor so therapy feels real, not clinical.
If you’re looking for an OCD therapist, anxiety therapist, or a couples therapist in St. Petersburg who can help you feel more connected, confident, and grounded, I’d be honored to support you. Reach out today to get started.
I offer individual and couples therapy for adults (18-100+) and am a private pay therapist in St. Petersburg. I provide a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for the LGBTQ+ community and individuals of all cultural and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. My practice is built on a foundation of respect, diversity, and equity.
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Empower Your Journey with The Image of You Counseling, LLC.
Embrace
At The Image of You Counseling, LLC, our mission is to provide compassionate counseling for individuals and couples facing emotional challenges, including psychological issues like OCD, anxiety, and deep-rooted pain. We utilize CBT therapy and ERP therapy to facilitate change, which is essential for personal growth and starts with looking inward. Our focus is on empowering you to overcome obstacles and find balance in your life.
Evolve
Embracing the journey of evolution and personal growth, whether in our relationships or individually, allows us to evolve. Engaging in individual or couples therapy can equip you with new tools and strategies that empower you to break free from old patterns, obsessions, compulsions, fears, and past habits. Additionally, CBT, ERP or EMDR therapy can play a crucial role in this transformative process. Each step forward is a celebration of your resilience and a commitment to building a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Thrive
Once you have the tools, you truly begin to realize that your greatest strength lies within you. This newfound understanding empowers you to thrive in all aspects of life. The journey is about taking charge of your mind, body, and soul, prioritizing your happiness and peace. It’s essential to recognize that old wounds, chronic mental health issues like anxiety or OCD, and past trauma do not have to dictate your existence.
Types of Anxiety & Related Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) often endure intense feelings of worry or fear that persist most days for six months or longer. This anxiety can be connected to various life aspects, including relationships, careers, health, and safety. In fact, GAD impacts nearly 6% of adults at some stage in their lives. Symptoms, which can be challenging to control, may also encompass changes in sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, digestive issues, fatigue, restlessness, irritability, and muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders. While some people might have a genetic predisposition to GAD, the condition may also be influenced by family dynamics and environmental factors. Although the specific causes remain unclear, diagnosis typically requires an evaluation by a healthcare provider or a mental health professional, such as an anxiety specialist in St. Petersburg, who will ask targeted questions and assess the situation. Effective treatment options, including CBT therapy and ERP therapy, are available to help manage symptoms, and for those seeking support, a couples therapist in St. Petersburg can assist couples navigating anxiety together. Additionally, an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg can provide specialized care for those dealing with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. For those preferring flexible payment options, a private pay therapist in St. Petersburg can also be a viable choice.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can significantly impact daily life, but therapies such as CBT therapy and ERP therapy have been shown to help manage symptoms effectively. For those seeking support, an Anxiety Specialist in St. Petersburg or a couples therapist in St. Petersburg can provide valuable strategies for coping with OCD in relationships. Additionally, an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg can offer specialized care, and those looking for more flexibility might consider a private pay therapist in St. Petersburg.
OCD is classified under its own category, distinct from anxiety disorders, specifically within the classification of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders in the DSM-5. This condition involves repeated, unwanted thoughts or urges (obsessions) and a compelling need to perform actions repeatedly (compulsions). It affects up to 3 million American adults. Effective treatments, such as CBT therapy and ERP therapy, can help manage symptoms and enhance quality of life. Symptoms of OCD include:
- Feelings of fear regarding losing control of behavior
- An overwhelming need to clean excessively or a heightened fear of germs
- Anxiety about forgetting or losing items
- Arranging objects in a specific order
- Repeatedly checking that tasks have been completed
While the causes of OCD may be linked to genetics or traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood, they are not fully understood. For individuals seeking help, consulting an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg or an anxiety specialist in St. Petersburg can provide valuable support. Additionally, a couples therapist in St. Petersburg can assist those whose relationships are affected by the condition. Finding a private pay therapist in St. Petersburg can also be an option for those looking for personalized care.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is a condition where an individual experiences multiple panic attacks over an extended period. These panic attacks can occur unexpectedly, often without any apparent danger, and involve intense feelings of fear or sensations of losing control. Notably, this condition is more prevalent among females than males, with women being more than twice as likely to be affected. Individuals suffering from panic disorder may find relief through CBT therapy, which can help them manage these overwhelming feelings.
Symptoms of a panic attack include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Feeling weak
- Increased heart rate
- Light-headedness
- Pain in the chest
- Shaking or chills
- Sweating with or without feeling hot
- Upset stomach
A person with panic disorder often lives in intense fear of experiencing another panic attack, leading them to avoid places where such episodes have occurred. Similar to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the exact causes of panic disorder remain unclear. However, individuals who have experienced traumatic events or significant loss are at an increased risk. For those seeking support, consulting an anxiety specialist in St. Petersburg or exploring ERP therapy can provide valuable coping strategies. Additionally, if you're looking for more specialized help, a couples therapist in St. Petersburg or an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg may also be beneficial, especially for those dealing with anxiety in relationships. Furthermore, a private pay therapist in St. Petersburg can offer personalized care tailored to individual needs.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) involves fear or worry related to social interactions, and it is more commonly experienced by women than men, particularly among teens and young women. Their symptoms often tend to be more severe. Effective treatments for SAD, such as CBT therapy and ERP therapy, can help individuals manage their anxiety. Symptoms of social anxiety disorder include avoiding social situations or interactions, extreme shyness or fear of talking to new people, feelings of nervousness, embarrassment, or being judged, overthinking conversations, and ruminating about interactions with others. While the specific causes of social anxiety disorder are unclear, it may run in families, and stress and environmental factors could also play a role. If you're seeking support, an anxiety specialist in St. Petersburg can provide guidance for those affected by SAD in relationships. Additionally, a couples therapist in St. Petersburg can help partners navigate challenges related to social anxiety, while an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg can address overlapping symptoms. For those looking for flexibility, a private pay therapist in St. Petersburg may also offer tailored support.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Separation anxiety disorder involves intense fear or reaction related to being apart from those to whom the individual is attached. While these fears and reactions are normal for babies and young children, they can become a concern if individuals do not grow out of them around school age. This condition can also affect teens and adults, and seeking help from a couples therapist in St. Petersburg can be beneficial for families dealing with this issue.
Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder include:
- Difficulty sleeping, leaving the house, or participating in activities that involve being away from a primary caregiver
- Extreme reaction when separated from a primary caregiver
- Fear or worry related to danger for a primary caregiver or self
- Feeling physically ill when separated from a primary caregiver
- Intense desire to constantly be with a specific person
The causes of separation anxiety disorder are not fully known. Traumatic experiences, instability at home, and stressful situations can increase the risk of this condition. Effective treatment options such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT therapy) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP therapy) can be utilized after an evaluation from an anxiety specialist in St. Petersburg or an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg. For those who prefer a more personalized approach, a private pay therapist in St. Petersburg may also provide the support needed.
Phobias
A phobia is a continuous, irrational, and intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. For example, an individual may experience a phobia of spiders or heights. To manage these fears, many find success through CBT therapy, which effectively addresses the irrational thoughts and behaviors associated with phobias. For those seeking help, finding an anxiety specialist in St. Petersburg can also provide support in overcoming these challenges.
Phobia symptoms include:
- Avoiding something specific due to fear, such as needles or dogs
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Upset stomach
Phobias can stem from a traumatic event related to the feared object or from someone consistently expressing the dangers of what is feared. Additionally, sometimes the cause of a phobia is unrelated to the specific fear, or the cause remains unknown. For couples dealing with phobias, consulting a couples therapist in St. Petersburg can offer valuable support. In more severe cases, ERP therapy may be utilized to gradually expose individuals to their fears in a controlled setting, which can also be facilitated by an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg. For those seeking flexibility, a private pay therapist in St. Petersburg may also be an option.
How Anxiety and Trauma Affect Relationships
Couples Counseling
How anxiety and unresolved trauma can interfere with relationships.
Anxiety and unresolved trauma can significantly impact relationships by creating a cycle of fear and mistrust. Individuals with unresolved trauma may experience hyper-vigilance, leading to constant guarding against potential threats, which can result in accusations or suspicion without cause. This hyper-vigilance can also lead to difficulty being emotionally vulnerable or sharing deep feelings, creating a fear of physical intimacy. In contrast, anxiety can cause individuals to feel overly alert or numb, affecting their ability to communicate effectively and respond to stress within relationships. This can lead to communication breakdowns, where partners may shut down during arguments or become overwhelmed by emotional conversations. Both anxiety and unresolved trauma can create a toxic environment in relationships, where trust is undermined and emotional intimacy is diminished. It is crucial for individuals and couples to seek professional help, such as CBT therapy or ERP therapy, to understand and address these issues. At The Image of You Counseling, I provide tailored support, allowing for a healthier and more resilient partnership.
Here's a great article to read on the 10 Common Patterns Seen in Unresolved Relational Trauma | Psychology Today