Katherine Van Meyl, M.A.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
& sex Educator
Welcome to Umbrella Insights.
My name is Katherine (Kat) Van Meyl and I’m the founder of Umbrella Insights. I provide psychotherapy services to adolescents, adults and couples in English and French in Centretown (Ottawa). I also provide consultation, and education services in English and French in person in Ottawa, or nationwide virtually. It is my preference to see clients in-person.
My Journey to Becoming A Therapist
I’m a survivor of childhood domestic violence, sexual abuse and poverty. More recently, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) triggered by the loss of a loved one by suicide. I know first-hand how childhood adversity and trauma effects the human psyche and what is required for recovery. I draw on evidence-based practices, informed by my personal experiences, to help my clients recover from trauma. I was inspired to become a therapist in my early 20s when I first sought treatment, but it took until after the birth of my daughter in my early 30s to start my master’s degree in Counselling Psychology.
In my teens and early 20s, I had many negative experiences with therapists. I felt they did not understand me, and I felt judged by them. I remember feeling blamed for my symptoms, which felt both infuriating and shaming. Once I found a therapist who shared my values and really listened to me, I worked with that individual for over a decade. My personal experience inspired me to become a therapist to offer treatment to those who might not fit within the confines of what most consider “normal.”
Guest Lectures & Workshops
Starting in my mid-20s and to this day, I have provided countless guest lectures and workshops to students, mental health professionals, social service providers, and police service providers on issues related to sex, gender, and sexuality. I feel inspired to share my knowledge of sex work, non-monogamy and kink/BDSM with other mental health professionals so they may better work with these (often intersecting) populations.
Professional Experience
In 2017, I founded Ottawa Independent Companions, a collective of independent sex workers whose goal is to share information, reduce isolation and increase safety among sex workers in the Ottawa and Gatineau region. Prior to this, I was employed by the Global Network of Sex Work Projects to help amplify the voices of sex workers globally through a robust communications plan. In the past, I volunteered with POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa, Gatineau, Work, Educate, Resist), CASWLR (Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform) and Pink Triangle Services (currently known as Kind Space).
I feel inspired to share my knowledge of sex work, non-monogamy and kink/BDSM with other mental health professionals so they may better work with these (often intersecting) populations.
Therapy
My role is to provide adolescents, adults, and couples a safe space to explore their inner world(s). As a relationally focused therapist, our connection is integral to the therapy process. Instead of homework, I often leave clients with something thought-provoking to ponder until our next session.
My Space
Located in the heart of Centretown, I offer a tranquil and professional space situated within a beautifully preserved Victorian building. The interior features a mid-century modern decor that provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for our time together.
Workshops
Are you a group of mental health professionals in private practice? Interested in learning more about sex work and developing your cultural competence in working within this population? Let’s get together to explore these areas as a group.
Consultations
Are you a mental health professional interested in learning about sex work, kink, BDSM, or non-monogamous relationships? Whether working with a specific client or seeking broader knowledge, I can support you in developing case conceptualizations within the relevant material, legal, and socio-political contexts.
