Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Hittel.
Hi Kate, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, one of the most important values in my family was a sense of community and helping others. My grandmother, Louise, showed me what determination looks like and the importance of community. In fact, she was one of the first women allowed to study at Yale University. She continued to be a strong advocate for mental health in Tampa, raising awareness and volunteering with campaigns to secure funding that eventually established what was formerly called the Guidance Center of Hillsborough County, Tampa. Her commitment left a lasting impression on me and played a major role in shaping the path I chose. It’s also a big reason I chose to pursue my graduate program in Psychology at the Adler University. One of Dr. Alfred Adler’s central principles is social interest, which is a deeply rooted sense of connection to others, empathy, and participating in the common good. He believed social interest is a core indicator of mental health, as the more developed one’s sense of responsibility and belonging, the better one navigates life challenges. Because of this, my graduate school training at Adler University went beyond traditional coursework, as I also learned how to actively put this principle into practice. For example, I learned how to write grants to support mental health agencies and I worked with the Adler’s Institute on Public Safety & Social Justice, facilitating experiential exercises designed to help participants understand the reentry experiences of formerly incarcerated women and the systemic and social barriers they face.
My journey has taken me across several states, Florida, Colorado, Illinois, and California, and through a variety of settings, including homeless shelters, community mental health centers, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse treatment programs, and private practice. I ultimately landed in private practice because it allowed me to balance work and life in a way that feels sustainable, while giving me the freedom to refine my own rhythm and style of therapy. One thing that hasn’t changed is my curiosity and interest in learning. My continued list of books to read and future trainings is probably two pages long!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has ebbed and flowed. I believe that part of being a good Psychologist is committing to continuous self-reflection and growth. That can be a hard and sometimes laborious process. Like many people, this meant working through old beliefs and patterns that sometimes left me feeling “not good enough.” Although I have worked for other’s practices, I had never had my own business. I actually never thought I would open a business, as I wasn’t taught how to be a business owner in school, and to be honest, I was scared. Completing A.R.T. myself helped me understand what was holding me back and gave me the tools to move forward. It has been a lot of learning the business side of practice to get to this point as well as learning from others (the good, the bad, and everything in between). I genuinely enjoy the creative side of running my own business, and I’ve recently started experimenting with reels and informational carousels to reach more people so that others don’t feel so alone. You can see some of this by following my Instagram page @DrKHittel.
As you know, we’re big fans of New Leaf Psychological Services, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is called New Leaf Psychological Services, LLC. I specialize in psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults. I conduct assessments for ADHD, Specific Learning Disorders, gifted identification, personality functioning, and a range of other concerns. In general, evaluations can feel overwhelming at first so I really strive to provide a warm, nonjudgemental environment where each individual feels heard, valued, and supported. Every evaluation carefully integrates the individual’s history, unique concerns, and evidence-based measures to provide a complete and meaningful picture. My clinical expertise allows me to uncover insights that may not be immediately apparent. I also provide easy-to-understand explanations of the test results and specific recommendations so each individual walks away feeling empowered.
Another specialty is I provide individual therapy with adults who are experiencing anxiety, life transitions, stress, trauma, and maternal mental health challenges (to name a few). My training includes Adlerian Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and I am a Master A.R.T Certified Practitioner. My therapeutic approach is integrative and collaborative, fostering self-understanding, acceptance, and growth.
One of my most favorite interventions is Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T), which has been one of the coolest experiences in my career. A.R.T is a brief treatment that utilizes rapid eye movements to help individuals process distressing memories and lessen the emotional intensity attached to them. What I love about it is how quickly people experience relief, sometimes in just a session or two. It feels incredibly powerful to watch someone walk in carrying a heavy emotional load and walk out feeling noticeably lighter. Often times people will say “That felt like magic” or “I don’t know how that worked, but I feel so much better.”
At New Leaf Psychological Services,LLC I am committed to blending clinical expertise with warmth, clarity, and genuine care. Whether someone comes in for an evaluation or therapy, my goal is always the same: to help them turn a new leaf to a healthier, more empowered chapter of their lives.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Before I answer this question, I want to acknowledge that mental health is a huge field with many emerging areas of change and I could never capture all of them here! The areas I’m highlighting reflect only some of the topics I’m personally passionate about, while I also recognize the importance of many other diverse experiences and identities across individuals, families, and communities.
That being said, as mother myself, I feel very passionate about the future of maternal mental health, and I believe this area will shape a major part of the mental health field over the next 5 to 10 years. There is still so much that is misunderstood or simply not talked about. For example, there is far less public awareness of prepartum and postpartum anxiety, OCD, psychosis, etc.–conditions that deserve equal attention, research, and support. Additionally, I think it will be important to keep talking about, and destigmatizing, premenstrual symptoms and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Let’s be open about how hormonal changes (which are out of our control) can impact mood and continue integrating cycle awareness into mental health care. It is important to help individuals understand what is happening in their bodies, without minimization, shame, or dismissal.
I also anticipate much more focus on the maternal mental load, which is the invisible, ongoing cognitive and emotional labor that mothers carry, in all its diverse forms and experiences. This has become even more relevant as more women juggle the mental load of parenting, home life, and friendships while simultaneously working full-time and stepping into demanding leadership roles. The cognitive and emotional toll of this load is significant, and I believe we’ll see increased recognition of its impact and a push for more systemic support. I *hope* for continued conversations about boundaries, shared responsibility, and redefining what equitable partnership looks like.
Overall, my *hope* for the next 5 to 10 years brings more nuanced understanding, more open conversations, and informed, compassionate care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drkhittel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkhittel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKHittel
Image Credits
Professional Picture by Marissa Moss Photography
