Kathryn Tkacz, LMFT

I saw Katie for a total of five years and initially found her approach to be warm and supportive. She provided significant help during a challenging period in my life. During that time, I was involved in an affair, and Katie counseled both my partner and me together. When the affair ended, and my family was in crisis, she provided therapy for my husband and me as a couple, my husband individually, myself individually, my son individually, and our entire family as a unit. At the time, I believed she was fulfilling her role as a therapist. I have now been married for 33 years, and it has been 13 years since the affair ended. However, in the years that followed, I learned that Katie made concerning statements to my son, who was only 14 at the time. He later revealed that she told him he needed to distance himself from me, claiming I was toxic to his life and that he would never be okay as long as he lived near me. Additionally, my husband was given books by Katie that focused on leaving me and codependency. At such a vulnerable age, my son was deeply influenced by her guidance , as he respected and looked up to her. Now, as my son and I struggle with our relationship, he continues to reference Katie’s words, saying, “Even Katie told me.” While I take responsibility for my actions and their impact, I also believe that Katie’s approach was inappropriate. A therapist should never tell a 14-year-old boy that he needs to separate from his mother.