Daily Inspiration: Meet Katie Barillas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Barillas.

Hi Katie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For the first 31 years of my life, I lived what felt like someone else’s story. I grew up in the Mormon church, got married at 19, had my first child at 20, and, despite graduating with a degree in Art (Photography), found myself cosplaying as a stay-at-home mom of four by age 29, living in a picture-perfect neighborhood that looked beautiful from the outside. Inside, I felt completely lost. I had done everything “right” according to someone else’s blueprint, but I had no idea who I was. I spiraled into a deep depression and, at my lowest, often imagined escaping this life to finally reach the heavenly peace I had been promised.

It was therapy that changed everything. Slowly, I started to unravel the deeply embedded belief that I was inherently broken, bad, and unworthy. I discovered a tiny spark of self-trust in the idea that maybe, just maybe, I was a good person with good intentions. That spark grew into a fire. I began to unlearn everything that had kept me small and started reclaiming every piece of my life: my time, my thoughts, my emotions, my body, my beliefs, my sexuality, and everything in between. The process tore me open. It was brutal and beautiful. There were sleepless nights, panic attacks, and moments of pure disorientation, but eventually, I shed what no longer served me and stepped into a life that felt free in every possible way.

That journey led me back to school with a hunger to understand therapy, the very thing that saved my life. I wanted to help others who were drowning in self-hate, grief, religious trauma, and the aching loneliness that comes with rebuilding your identity from scratch. My favorite moment in therapy is when a client says, “I don’t know”, when they finally admit they’re unsure who they are, what they want, or what’s next. That moment of uncertainty is sacred to me. It’s the birthplace of curiosity, self-compassion, and growth. I get to help them discover that deconstruction doesn’t have to mean devastation. It can be the beginning of something wildly personal, brave, and new.

I love my job and everyone knows it. I’m a professional listener, secret keeper, truth-teller, and space holder. It’s the kind of work my soul longed for, and I’m deeply honored to do it every single day.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. What surprised me most was the grief, grieving the parts of that life I actually did love. I adored my church community. Leaving that world also meant shifting my relationships and learning how to be raw and honest in ways I had never dared before. That was terrifying. But in that vulnerability, I found my people. Women who had walked through fire in their own ways. Women who held me when I was crumbling and cheered me on as I rebuilt. They became my chosen family, true sisters in every sense of the word. We hold space for each other, challenge each other, laugh until we cry, and remind each other that we’re never alone in this messy, beautiful becoming.

Most importantly, I cherished being a mom to my babies and staying home with them during those early years. There were so many glimmers: long days at the park, art projects scattered across the kitchen table, the thrill in their eyes when they learned to read. I even taught all of them to ride bikes, despite never learning myself! Those are memories I hold close. My children taught me more about life and being brave than anyone else, and I’ll be forever indebted to them for the joy and purpose they’ve given me. Going back to school and eventually working as a therapist has meant sacrificing time with my kids, which is still the hardest part for me. I carry that guilt every day.

My hope is that my choices show my children that they always have the right to choose their lives. I was raised to believe that I didn’t, that I was stuck. I never want them to feel that way. If they grow up knowing that there’s always another way forward, and that they can trust themselves and meet their mistakes with self-compassion, then I’ve done enough. That’s the legacy I want to leave.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in religious trauma, life transitions, and relationships, especially helping people who are rebuilding after everything they once believed gets turned upside down. I’m known for being person-centered and down-to-earth, often infusing humor into therapy sessions when it feels right. A client once called me “disgustingly compassionate,” and honestly, I’ve never been more flattered.

I’m most proud of my commitment to lifelong learning. I’m trained in EMDR therapy and take a deeply somatic approach to healing, helping clients reconnect with their bodies, work with their nervous systems, and process trauma from the inside out. I also integrate parts work, which helps people understand themselves in new, profound ways and create internal harmony where there was once conflict or confusion.

I especially love working with couples. Helping them break painful cycles, communicate clearly, and stop making assumptions that lead to disconnection, it’s some of the most meaningful work I do. Watching two people begin to feel safe with each other again, if that’s what they both want and are willing to continually work toward, is incredibly rewarding.

What sets me apart? I think therapy is about the fit. I’m not the perfect therapist for everyone, and I’m honest about that. I value being productive in therapy, and I regularly check in with my clients about their progress and goals. I want our time together to feel valuable and empowering. At the heart of it, I believe healing is possible, and I’m honored to walk beside my clients as they find their way back to themselves.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My sense of humor is one of the most essential qualities that’s contributed to my success. Therapy can be heavy, and I believe in making space for laughter, lightness, and authenticity in the healing process. Humor helps create connection, ease, and even insight, it reminds us we’re human.

Equally important is self-compassion. I spent years believing I was inherently flawed, so developing a kind, patient, and forgiving relationship with myself has been revolutionary. Self-compassion gives me the resilience to keep showing up, for myself and for others. It reminds me that I don’t have to be perfect to be effective, and that growth often looks like grace in the midst of discomfort.

But if I had to name the magic ingredient, it would be curiosity. My curiosity is the foundation of my work, it’s what keeps me learning, questioning, and evolving both personally and professionally. I’m not afraid to change my mind or shift my perspective. That’s the whole point of growth, right? Staying open to what’s next, even when it challenges you. I think that’s what allows me to meet my clients where they are and walk with them into the unknown.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://summitsedgecounseling.com
• Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/katie-barillas-marietta-ga/1145535

Image Credits
Angela Pereira
Summit’s Edge Counseling