We are pleased to announce
KATIE STEELE
as the Mental Health Awareness of Michiana (MHAM)
Volunteer Highlight for September!
MHAM’s volunteer highlight for September – Dr. Katie Steele, Ph.D – is a volunteer within our Pro Bono Counseling Program (PBCP). PBCP Coordinator Linda Raven has this to say about Katie:
“It is so inspiring to have a volunteer like Katie in the PBCP. She is very valuable in brainstorming ways we can improve the program both to support clients’ needs as well as to better support the volunteers.”
Dr. Steele received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. For over 30 years, she has specialized in Group Psychotherapy as an ideal therapeutic setting for healing from the dysfunctional coping strategies learned in early life. In addition to Group Therapy, Dr. Steele utilizes EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as an accelerated healing tool for the small and large traumas that define the interpersonal responses. She has attained the highest credentialed level of Approved Consultant in EMDR awarded by EMDRIA, allowing her to train and consult with therapists learning EMDR. In 2016 she was elected a Fellow of the AGPA and is currently serving as Co-Chair of the annual conference AGPA Connect. She has provided mentoring and training in group therapy for therapists for more than 20 years.
Why is access to mental health care important to you?
“I have always had a heart for reaching as many people as I could with the best treatments possible. Becoming a group therapist as a new professional in 1987 allowed me to reach more people who needed good care who might not have been able to afford individual therapy, and even slide my scale while remaining financially secure. Giving in this way was integral to my flourishing as a new therapist. I believe prosperity comes with the flow of giving.”
Why is volunteering with MHAM’s Pro Bono Counseling Project important to you?
“In my early 60’s I took on the job of Clinical Director at the Samaritan Center in Elkhart where fee assistance continued that dedication and I could trust the administration to screen for need. As I thought to move toward retirement and scale back my practice, I knew I wanted to continue to reach those who might not be able to afford what I have to offer and was excited to find the PBCP in June of 2023. I have been gratified to find how well-suited the two clients I have seen for 12 sessions each have been for me. Following the Law of Abundance for me means that I give of myself, trusting I will receive . . . I give financially, trusting that I will have what I need. I give of my time, knowing that there will be enough time. And when I seek Love, I give Love.”
To learn more about the Pro Bono Counseling Project, click HERE!
Are you interested in volunteer opportunities? Send us an email:
info@mhamichiana.org
→ To make a financial gift to support MHAM, visit:
