Why I’m Here
I have long loved people and questions. Questions expand us; open us up; bring about understanding; and offer a doorway to possibility, healing and transformation among other things.
I love existential thought and philosophy - it offers us agency, hope and ways of finding meaning in an often chaotic world.
My own life, full of twists and unexpected turns in identity (whether divorce, unrelenting health issues, or a battle with mental illness), has taught me to be present, embrace discomfort, draw strength from reality, and to find a way, whatever it takes, to make my life authentic and connected with others no matter what challenges come.
My positive experiences in multi-cultural environments and challenging experiences with both workaholism and dealing with the bureaucracy of health care drive me to find ways to live genuinely in the face of the dehumanization of capitalism, racism, sexism, ableism and a society concerned with productivity and profit at all costs. We can take back agency of our stories (individual and collective) even amid great struggle.
When I ask, 'What can I do with this life in this body?' the answer is being here with you in your experiences and your questions.
When I ask, 'What can I do with this life in this body?' the answer is being here with you in your experiences and your questions.
Katie Rivers comes to her practice as an Existential Guide with a passion for good questions, active listening, and deep seeded belief that transformation of ourselves, our communities and our societies is possible when we do reflective work. With over ten years of experience working in multi-cultural non-profits as an administrator, leader, and board member, she has honed her skills in creating a safe and inclusive spaces for growth.
Katie holds a B.A. from San Francisco State University in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Anthropology and a focus on healing the impacts of colonialism. She has worked extensively with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris and other trauma experts regarding how trauma impacts our physiology and has facilitated meetings and workshops with trauma physiology experts, policy workers, and non-profit boards.
Living in Saudi Arabia as a child, the past twenty years in San Francisco's Mission District, and intermittently in South Sudan allow Katie to bring a unique and informed perspective to her work, particularly in regards to dialogue, nuance, cultural humility, cross cultural communication, and contributing to racial healing as a white woman.
In addition to her professional experiences, Katie has also persevered through personal experiences with grief, trauma and learning to live well with chronic health conditions. She is committed to a growth mindset perspective with her clients as they navigate difficult life questions.
She also has 15 years of personal experience with religion and living communally, giving her a deep understanding of the joys, sorrows, and unfortunate abuses that emerge in contexts with deep, messy, human connection.
Katie enjoys staying active and engaging in a variety of hobbies, including reading science fiction, getting into nature, rock climbing, biking, playing music, writing and cooking. She lives in San Francisco with her cat, Thursday.
You have to find your own way.
You don’t have to do it alone.
Questions?
Please reach out! I’m happy to answer any questions you have about existential conversations, what’s included, scheduling, fees, etc…