Kate Ottley, PLPC
People-Pleasing, Trauma, Anxiety, Couples Counseling & First-Time Therapy Clients in Kansas City, MO
You've been meeting everyone else's needs.
Yours got pushed down.
You're the one who shows up. You say yes when you mean no, keep the peace, and make sure everyone else is okay, and somewhere along the way your own needs got quiet.
Maybe anxiety hums in the background. Maybe the weight of what you've been through is still showing up in your days. Maybe things with your partner feel stuck, tense, or distant. Maybe you've wanted to try therapy for a long time but felt nervous, intimidated, or unsure where to even begin.
That hesitation makes sense. You don't need to have it all figured out to start.
You deserve to be heard.
Kate Ottley is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) at gokc Healing Center in Kansas City. She works with individual adults and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, people-pleasing, and relationship struggles, and she is especially welcoming to first-time therapy clients.
Who Kate Works With
People-Pleasing
Sometimes we find ourselves meeting everyone else's needs while our own are forgotten and pushed down. Kate can help you rediscover your voice, because you deserve to be heard.
Trauma & Trauma Recovery
Painful experiences can leave a lasting mark on how you feel, think, and relate to others. Kate offers a steady, compassionate space to work through what you've been carrying at a pace that feels manageable, without needing to relive everything to begin healing. Learn more about trauma therapy at gokc →
Anxiety & Overwhelm
When your mind won't slow down and everything feels like too much, it's hard to feel like yourself. Kate helps you understand what's fueling the overwhelm and build practical ways to feel calmer and more in control. Learn more about anxiety therapy at gokc →
Depression & Low Mood
Low mood can make even simple things feel heavy. Kate meets you with patience and without judgment, helping you reconnect with motivation, meaning, and the parts of life that have felt out of reach.
Couples Counseling
When you and your partner keep having the same fight, talk past each other, or feel more like roommates than a team, it can be hard to know where to start. Kate offers a kind, steady space for you both to be heard, understand the patterns you've fallen into, and find your way back to each other. You don't have to be at a breaking point to come in. Many couples reach out because they want things to feel better before they get worse.
Relationship Struggles
Whether it's communication breakdowns, feeling unheard, or losing yourself in a relationship, Kate helps you understand your patterns and build healthier connections, with others and with yourself. You can come on your own or with your partner.
First-Time Therapy Clients
For those who feel intimidated, nervous, or unsure about starting therapy, you will be welcomed with kindness and understanding. Kate has been in your shoes and does not downplay how difficult it can be to take that first step.
Navigating What Life Throws at You
Life changes, and sometimes all at once. Kate supports you through transitions, stress, and the unexpected so you can feel steadier and more like yourself.
Kate works with adults and couples throughout the Kansas City metro, including Brookside, Waldo, Midtown, Westport, Overland Park, Lee's Summit, and surrounding areas, with in-person sessions at gokc's Brookside office. Telehealth is available for Missouri residents.
Related services at gokcWhat Therapy with Kate Looks Like
Kate's approach is warm, kind, and unhurried. Sessions are a place where you can say the honest thing without being rushed, judged, or told what you "should" feel. In couples sessions, that goes for both of you.
If you've never been to therapy, Kate will walk you through what to expect so nothing feels like a mystery. You set the pace, and the first step is simply a conversation.
"You deserve to be heard."
- Kate
Not sure if Kate is the right fit? Try the gokc Therapist Match Maker. It takes two minutes and connects you with the right person on our team.
Credentials & Background
Kate Ottley is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) practicing under clinical supervision at gokc Healing Center. She specializes in people-pleasing, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns, including couples counseling, and she takes special care with clients who are starting therapy for the first time.
Kate is part of the gokc team, a Kansas City-based mental health practice rooted in the belief that therapy should be accessible, real, and genuinely helpful. She sees individuals and couples at gokc's Brookside office and offers telehealth to Missouri residents.
Payment Options
Kate is private pay only, for individual therapy and couples counseling alike. We want you to know that up front so there are no surprises.
Private Pay
Available for individual therapy and couples counseling.
Reach out to discuss current rates and availability.
Insurance
Kate does not accept insurance.
Questions about how this works? Ask during your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
I've never been to therapy. Is Kate a good fit for first-timers?
Yes. First-time clients are one of Kate's favorite people to work with. She knows how intimidating that first step can feel, and she'll explain what to expect so you're never guessing. There's no wrong way to start.
What is people-pleasing therapy?
People-pleasing therapy helps you understand why you put everyone else's needs first, what that pattern has been protecting you from, and how to start making choices that include you. It isn't about becoming selfish. It's about finding your voice and building relationships where you're heard too.
Does Kate work with couples?
Yes. Kate sees couples navigating communication struggles, feeling disconnected, repeating the same arguments, or working through relationship stress. Couples sessions are private pay, like all of Kate's sessions. Reach out to ask about availability and rates.
Do we have to be in crisis to start couples counseling?
No. Some couples come in when things feel really hard, and others come in because they want to feel closer and communicate better. You don't need to have a big breaking point to deserve support.
Can I come to couples counseling if my partner is nervous about therapy?
Yes, and that's very common. Kate is especially welcoming to people who are new to therapy. She'll explain what to expect so neither of you is guessing, and you can start with a free consultation to see how it feels.
Do you offer online therapy?
Yes. Kate offers telehealth sessions for Missouri residents, in addition to in-person appointments at gokc's Brookside office in Kansas City.
What is a PLPC?
A Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) is a fully trained counselor completing supervised hours on the path to full licensure. Kate holds all required credentials and provides quality care with the added benefit of ongoing clinical oversight.
Does Kate take insurance or offer a sliding scale?
No. Kate is private pay only, for both individual and couples sessions. Reach out and we'll walk you through rates and answer any questions.
How do I know if Kate is the right therapist for me?
The best way to find out is a brief, free consultation, a low-pressure conversation to see if it feels like a good fit. You can also try the gokc Therapist Match Maker to explore the full team. There's no commitment required.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Starting therapy takes courage, and you don't have to have it figured out before you reach out. Text, call, or book online. No pressure, no commitment.
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation →Meet the full gokc therapy team or use our Therapist Match Maker to find the right fit.