About

Hi! I am Kathryn (Dr. Kat) Oden and I have worked with many types of people over my 30 years of practice. Because of my life experiences, I am particularly excited to work with those who are doing a surgical procedure to improve their lives, like a plastic surgery, weight loss surgery or others. I will work with a couple to help deal with the relationship changes created by such surgeries but I prefer to see them individually, to avoid hurting feelings.

I started as a Master’s level counselor and did diagnostic and support work for newly incarcerated individuals in the Texas prison system. From there I went into other diagnostic areas (from intellectual issues to neurological ones) and I worked at the Texas Prison System Psychiatric hospital. I have always been a strong advocate for the needs of patients/clients, from demanding appropriate foods to break the daily Ramadan fast for Muslim patients to insisting on various therapies (e.g. music and occupational) for my imprisoned ones. I am still a supporter of a former patient who was on Death Row and has been exonerated.

While working on my Ph.D. in Clinical Neuropsychology (Brain Science basically) I developed a belief that I know very little about an individual person although I have studied and worked with lots of different groups. Neuropsychology tells me something about your hardware, but your software is all you. I will need to get to know your story (Narrative Therapy for those who like labels) as well as that of your Family of Origin (siblings, parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts). That is the only way I can offer therapy custom fitted to your strengths and needs. If you are a reader, I may suggest a book or audiobook you might learn from. I even suggest movies sometimes that touch on themes similar to your life issues. I have always been interested in the stress points in “normal” human development, times of change when we can choose excitement or anxiety about something new.

I was trained to work with children and adults who have or had cancers of the blood and nervous system as well as those who have suffered strokes, trauma to the head/brain, and other neurological disorders. Getting them back to the life they enjoy after the event or diagnosis is my highest goal for each patient/client. I also work well with those who have mood and adjustment issues regarding life changes or disappointments. I personally have many friends and relatives with LGBTQ issues and work with this group by choice, believing that their differences from others are just a small part of who they are.

I am willing to do trauma work if the client can agree to complete assignments outside of the weekly sessions. None of my work will be effective if the client doesn't work just as hard or harder.

I respect your Truth regardless of whether we agree and I try hard only to give “advice” when asked. Join me on the path to discovering your best self and life. See you there!