A close-up of a snake coiled around a branch, with detailed scales and a background of leaves and branches.

My name is Kat, I currently live in Calgary in a 1912 heritage home, with amazing neighbours, my partner, and a wonderful community around me. I consider myself a lifelong learner, and I thrive on novelty and being active! I love trying new things and being challenged. I really believe that my many hobbies are what keeps me grounded and inspired. I mostly dance and roller skate, but recently I started playing bass guitar, and now I get to play in a band with my friends! An ideal day for me would be riding my bike around the city with my partner, checking out thrift stores, and taking photos with my film camera.

I'm a big fan of creativity and movement. As a certified vinyasa yoga teacher and a dancer, I offer unique somatic practices to help clients reconnect with their bodies, manage stress, and develop self-soothing tools. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply seeking a deeper connection with your mind and body, I’m here to support. You are the expert in your own experience, and I’m excited to be part of this journey with you.

As a proud Métis woman, I hold my culture and ancestry close to my heart. I’m committed to decolonizing my practice, and I’m constantly working to unlearn harmful dominant narratives and allow space for diverse ways of knowing, healing, and being.

My Therapy Style is action-oriented, warm, creative, and inclusive.

KAT HANDLEY (she/her)

Therapist, MSW, RSW, BA (Sociology/Sexuality Studies)

book with Kat

  • Substance Use

  • Disordered Eating

  • Sex & Sexuality

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Anxiety

  • Self-Esteem

Specialities:

  • Perfectionism

  • Relationship Concerns

  • Self-Harming

  • Adults

  • Teens & Young Adults

  • Kids 12+

Office Hours:

In-person & Virtual:


Monday 3pm to 8pm
Tuesday 11am to 8pm
Wednesday 10am to 6pm
Thursday 10am to 6pm
Friday 11am to 6pm

Accepting new clients.

Locations:
Okotoks, AB — In-Person & Virtual

Licensed to support residents of Alberta.

kat@kindredroots.ca

Black and white drawing of a bird standing on a branch with its wings spread open

Other Ways To Get To Know Me:

Black and white sketch of a face with eyes and mouth, highly stylized with abstract lines.
A black and white image of a tattooed woman lying on her side on a bed. She is wearing high heels, with her head resting on her arm, and has tattoos on her arms and legs.
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@kindredrootskat

My “Go-To” Therapy Models

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    Focuses on transforming negative thoughts and behaviors into positive outcomes for better emotional well-being.

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

    Combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness to help people manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors.

  • Somatic Therapy

    A practice that focuses on the bodies response to stress and trauma and acknowledges the importance of connecting both brain and body for true healing.

  • Trauma Informed Care

    Recognizing and understanding the impact of trauma to emphasize the physical, psychological and emotional safety a client deserves for personal empowerment.

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    Encourages embracing your thoughts and feelings, focusing on the present, and taking meaningful action to improve your life.

I’ve always been drawn to understanding the human condition, social constructionism, and how the systems we live in shape our experiences. This interest brought me to Montreal where I received my undergraduate degree in Sociology and Sexuality Studies. After that, I moved to Europe for four years in search of adventure and to be immersed in other cultures and languages. Since moving back to Calgary, I completed my masters in clinical social work at the University of Calgary, with a specialization in adult mental health and addictions.

My social work journey began in Montreal where I worked in a community organization that focused on supporting people living with HIV. This sparked my passion for harm reduction, and I’ve been working in the addiction and mental health field for the last five years. I’ve supported vulnerable and unhoused populations in acute care settings and through various outreach initiatives, and I continue to work as an addiction counsellor at Renfrew Recovery Centre in Calgary. I’ve also worked in a concurrent disorder outpatient clinic as a mental health therapist. Recently, I’ve worked with youth with eating disorders in residential treatment setting.

My Professional Background

BOOK with Kat

  • Applying DBT skills in the treatment of Eating Disorder patients, 2026

    Eating Disorder Informed Care, 2025

    ACT for Beginners , 2025

    Introduction to Hakomi Therapy, 2025

    Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment, and Management (SPRAM), 2024

    Mental Health First Aid, 2023

    Body-Focused Expressive Arts Therapy for Traumatized Children and Adolescents, 2022

    Trauma-Informed Care E-Learning, 2022

    250-Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training, 2019

  • Master of Social Work, University of Calgary, 2025

    Bachelor of Sociology & Sexuality Studies, Concordia University, 2018

  • Registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW #19696).

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THERAPY SHOULD FEEL LIKE:

a deep stretch -  uncomfortable, but with patience, time, and consistency, you can develop your flexibility and grow.

— KAT HANDLEY