I love being a social worker and I opened Life Changes Counseling and Care Planning to pursue my dream of doing this work with fewer competing demands than in other types of mental health and social service settings. I see my role as rooted in high quality listening and application of evidence-based techniques. In our work this means I strive to ensure I am understanding you, your experiences and strengths while also intentionally listening for patterns and opportunities that invite exploration and potential growth.
I am a self-described “aging geek,” so I enjoy nearly all areas of my work. That being said, I particularly like working with caregivers, people living with a dementia, individuals who are experiencing a major life transition, feeling stuck and want to re-ignite their own personal spark, as well as those who are grappling with their sense of legacy and exploring a meaningful death.
My clients say they feel deeply supported and through our work have discovered different outlooks on life, re-imagined versions of themselves, new coping and self-care tools as well as opportunities in the face of some of life’s most difficult situations, including end of life.
I’m taking a break from working with new clients to focus my energies on my current clients and nurturing Life Changes Counseling and Care Planning as the practice grows.
During my social work career, I have worked with older adults, their families and friends in community-based mental health, geriatric care management, health care and nursing home-based rehabilitation settings. I have also supervised teams of social workers, developed models of care and presented extensively to both public and professional audiences on topics related to aging.
Growing up as the youngest of a small, multigenerational family, I was surrounded by people older than me. As a result, I had exposure from a young age to the concerns that arose as my family members grew older or coped with chronic and terminal illnesses. I saw first-hand how both individuals and families wrestled with changes in health and memory, differing opinions, end of life issues and grief. I began to notice how society often overlooks older people as individuals, minimizing their unique life experiences and strengths. I decided to devote my career to changing how society views aging and to helping those who face challenges in later life continue to thrive despite the circumstances they might face.
People are often curious about my last name. It's pronounced "KRAY-chee," and is Czech in origin. When not exploring my love for all things aging-related, I can be found gardening, tending to my extensive collection of houseplants or deeply appreciating music.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, get support now. Call 988 for support and assistance. If it is a life-threatening emergency, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.
This site © 2016- Kate Krajci, LCSW Psychotherapy and Consulting, LLC