Welcome to The Image of You Counseling, LLC.
Tools for Real Change
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 or anxiety disorders.
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 OCD therapist or anxiety disorders therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, I’m here to help.
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Understanding Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and persistent worry about various everyday aspects of life, such as relationships, work, finances, health, and family, as well as anxiety about the future. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by worry, you might notice that your anxiety is more pronounced than necessary, yet it can be challenging to quiet your mind. This excessive worry can negatively impact 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 various factors, including genetics, temperament, life experiences, stress, and environmental influences; however, there is no single definitive cause.
Fortunately, GAD is treatable. An experienced therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders in St. Petersburg, FL can help you identify the patterns that fuel your worry, challenge unproductive thinking patterns, and develop healthier coping strategies. Therapy can also provide an opportunity to learn to tolerate uncertainty, allowing you to spend less time consumed by worry.
If you’re also experiencing self-doubt, intrusive thoughts, or OCD symptoms, working with an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, FL may be helpful. For those in relationships affected by anxiety or OCD, couples counseling can also provide valuable support.
Remember, you’re not alone. With the right support and treatment, it is possible to better manage anxiety and feel more present and engaged in your life.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) encompasses unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) as well as repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that individuals feel compelled to perform to ease anxiety or prevent undesirable outcomes. If you're experiencing these symptoms, working with an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can provide support and help you better understand these patterns.
It's important to note that OCD may not always manifest through excessive cleaning or checking; compulsions can also be mental. You may 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 take any missteps
Seeking reassurance from loved ones
Researching or comparing for comfort
Mentally reviewing or analyzing your thoughts and feelings
Needing things to feel 'just right'
Avoiding situations that trigger intrusive thoughts or anxiety
Worrying that an unwanted thought reflects negatively on your identity
Questioning whether you’ve made the right decisions repeatedly
These cycles may provide temporary relief but can often reinforce OCD by conditioning your brain to believe that thoughts, feelings, or uncertainties must be resolved. If you’re struggling with these patterns, OCD therapy can help you understand the cycle and begin developing a different response to intrusive thoughts, uncertainty, and anxiety.
While the exact causes of OCD are still not fully understood, factors such as genetics, brain biology, temperament, and life experiences may contribute to its development.
OCD can be treated effectively. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based treatment designed to help you gradually confront your triggers while learning to resist compulsions and the need for reassurance. Additionally, I work with couples navigating the unique relationship challenges that can arise when OCD is part of the picture.
The goal isn’t to eliminate every intrusive thought or achieve complete certainty. Instead, it’s about learning to respond differently to uncertainty and intrusive thoughts so they hold less power over your life. You don’t have to continue the cycle of analyzing, checking, or seeking reassurance just to feel okay. If self-doubt and intrusive thoughts are a significant part of what you're experiencing, OCD therapy in St. Petersburg, FL may be a helpful place to start.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterized by recurring, unexpected panic attacks and a constant fear of experiencing another episode. These panic attacks can strike suddenly, often without a clear trigger, leading to both overwhelming and intensely physical feelings.
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 lead to 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, a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders in St. Petersburg, FL, can help you understand and manage these challenges.
Fortunately, panic disorder is treatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be effective in helping you understand and react differently to physical sensations and anxious thoughts, ultimately reducing panic and the fear of future attacks. Therapy can also help you gradually face situations you may have been avoiding because of panic.
You shouldn’t have to shape your life around the fear of panic. With appropriate support, you can build the confidence to deal with anxiety without it dictating your actions. If panic attacks or the fear of having another panic attack are interfering with your daily life, therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, can help you find a different way forward.
Social Anxiety Disorder
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. Working with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders can help you better understand the patterns contributing to your anxiety and develop new ways of responding to them.
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. Therapy can also help you build confidence in social situations without needing to feel completely comfortable or certain first.
You don't need to wait until you feel completely confident to begin living the life you desire. If social anxiety is interfering with your relationships, work, or ability to participate in everyday life, therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, can provide support as you work toward feeling more comfortable, confident, and engaged in the things that matter to you.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
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. Working with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders 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 can ultimately impact your relationships and daily life.
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, therapy can help you better understand the anxiety you’re experiencing and develop healthier ways of coping. Together, you can work on the fears and patterns that may be contributing to your anxiety while gradually building greater confidence and comfort with being apart from the people you care about.
If separation anxiety is interfering with your ability to fully participate in your life, therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, can provide support as you work toward feeling more secure, independent, and present in your relationships and everyday experiences.
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an intense fear of a particular object or situation, often disproportionate to the actual danger involved. Common examples of specific phobias include fear of spiders, heights, needles, flying, dogs, or other animals. If you find yourself struggling with a specific phobia, working with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders 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 after a frightening experience, stem from learned fears, or develop seemingly out of nowhere. If a phobia is affecting your daily life, relationships, or work, therapy can be a valuable resource.
Effective treatment for phobias often involves gradually confronting the feared situation in a safe, structured environment while learning new ways to respond to anxiety. Exposure-based approaches can help you build confidence and reduce the avoidance that may be keeping the fear going.
You don't have to continue organizing your life around what you're afraid of. Therapy can help you gradually face your fears and feel more comfortable doing the things that matter to you. If a specific phobia is interfering with your daily life, therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, can provide support as you work toward greater freedom and confidence.
Relationship OCD (ROCD)
Relationship OCD (ROCD) is a specific form of OCD characterized by persistent doubts and fears regarding 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, working with an OCD therapist in St. Petersburg, FL, can help you better understand what you're experiencing and begin breaking the cycle of doubt and anxiety.
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.
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. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is an evidence-based treatment for OCD that can help you gradually face uncertainty without relying on compulsions, reassurance, or constant analysis. When ROCD is affecting a relationship, therapy can also provide an opportunity to better understand the patterns that may be creating distance or conflict between partners.
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. You don't have to constantly analyze your feelings, compare your relationship, or seek reassurance to feel confident in your decisions. With the right support, you can learn to relate differently to doubt and uncertainty and create more space to be present in your relationship.
If you're struggling with Relationship OCD, OCD therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, can provide a supportive place to begin working through these patterns and move toward greater confidence, connection, and freedom from the cycle of doubt.
Relationship Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL
When Relationships Feel Harder Than They Should
Relationships can be complicated. Sometimes the issue stems from communication breakdowns, recurring conflicts, feelings of disconnection, or difficulties understanding each other's needs. Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, uncertainty, and patterns of reassurance-seeking and overthinking can also affect your sense of security within a relationship. If you’re struggling with these challenges, you’re not alone.
Whether you’re dealing with difficulties as a couple or trying to understand your own relationship patterns, couples counseling can provide a safe space to pause, have open conversations, and better understand what may be keeping you stuck.
My approach is straightforward, compassionate, and practical. I won’t dictate what you should do in your relationship or take sides. Instead, we’ll work together to identify the patterns that may be getting in the way and develop healthier ways to communicate, manage difficult emotions, tolerate uncertainty, and move forward.
Sometimes, making progress means learning how to reconnect and build a healthier relationship together. Other times, it may involve recognizing that the healthiest choice is to go separate ways. My role isn't to make that decision for you; it’s to help you understand what’s happening, facilitate honest conversations, and support you in making choices that reflect your values.
If anxiety or OCD is affecting your relationship, we can also explore how those patterns may be contributing to conflict, disconnection, or uncertainty. Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, can provide a supportive place to work through these challenges and find a path forward that feels right for you.
How Anxiety and Unresolved Trauma Affect Relationships
Anxiety and unresolved trauma can significantly impact your relationships. When your nervous system remains constantly alert, it can become difficult 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 the need to protect yourself from being hurt again.
This heightened state can lead to suspicion, defensiveness, difficulty trusting your partner, or struggling to feel secure in the relationship—even when there is no immediate threat. You may also find yourself reacting strongly to situations that remind you of past experiences or having difficulty separating what is happening now from what happened before.
Therapy can provide a space to better understand these patterns and explore how anxiety and past experiences may be affecting your relationships. Together, we can work toward developing greater awareness, learning healthier ways to respond to difficult emotions, and building a stronger sense of safety and connection.
If anxiety, past experiences, or relationship patterns are making it difficult to feel secure and connected, therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, can provide support as you work toward meaningful change. When appropriate, couples counseling can also provide an opportunity to work through these challenges together and develop healthier ways of communicating and relating.
For additional information, you may find this Psychology Today article helpful: “10 Common Patterns Seen in Unresolved Relational Trauma.”
10 Common Patterns Seen in Unresolved Relational Trauma | Psychology Today
Contact Me
The Image of You Counseling, LLC.
3530 1st Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33713, United States
Hours
Today | By Appointment |
