About Dr. Lake
Kati N. Lake, PhD is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of trauma and mood disorders using trauma-informed (people and places that promote recovery and decrease re-traumatization) and patient-centered approaches to care (care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values).
Education and Clinical Training
Dr. Lake obtained a PhD from Teachers College, Columbia University. She received clinical training at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Columbia University Medical Center/New York State Psychiatric Institute, and the Dean Hope Center at Columbia University. Dr. Lake has experience in outpatient, residential, and inpatient care.
In addition, Dr. Lake graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a master of arts, master of science, and master of philosophy in clinical psychology with a concentration in global mental health and trauma. She holds a bachelor of arts in political science and British literature with a focus on political communications from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio).
Consulting Experience
Previously, Dr. Lake served as the Vice President of Consulting Services at RAINN, which operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, where she established and led the organization’s consulting services department. As a Lead Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, she led teams in the development, execution, and evaluation of personnel policy across the Department of Defense, including the Defense Suicide Prevention Office and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. Dr. Lake also served as a Schedule C political appointee at the White House, providing support to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Dr. Lake has a demonstrated history of providing strategic, operational, and tactical leadership for developing and managing complex, high-visibility projects, leveraging experience in program management, policy development, and congressional affairs. Integrating her clinical and consulting background, she advises organizations interested in affecting culture change surrounding sexual violence prevention and response.
What You Can Expect in Treatment
We begin with assessing what is triggering and maintaining your stress. Next, we review treatment options and select the right one to address your symptoms. Across our work, we will measure changes in your behaviors, thoughts, and emotions to ensure we’re on the right path. Together, we connect how the things that have happened to you might be affecting your current life, keeping in mind how your experiences and identities influence your well-being.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Initial assessment of symptoms and functioning provides a solid foundation for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. To do this, Dr. Lake works to understand how the things that have happened to you might affect your current life through targeted evaluation of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. After the assessment is complete, your specific symptoms are given a name, which is also referred to as a diagnosis.
Evidenced-Based Treatment
Once a diagnosis is established, Dr. Lake provides information on the evidence-based treatments proven to reduce your symptoms. Then, you select a treatment based on your unique needs and preferences. Together, you map out a plan with specific, achievable, and measurable goals for recovery that are evaluated each week.
Trauma-Informed, Patient-Centered Care
Dr. Lake is guided by trauma-informed approaches to care, which seek to address the psychological and neurobiological impacts of trauma. She also embraces patient-centered care practices, inviting you to actively collaborate in treatment, which has been shown to increase autonomy, self-efficacy, and capacity for authentic expression.
Clinical Ethos
Regardless of your specific diagnosis or selected treatment, our work is rooted in relational, humanistic, and behavioral approaches to care. This means that I believe satisfying relationships are necessary for our well-being, including the one between you and me. I also believe we are a “whole person,” greater than the sum of our individual parts (e.g., “bad” decisions). Finally, my work incorporates skills to develop self-awareness and mindfulness, moving from impulsive reactions to purposeful actions.
I believe humans are complex, with many different identities (e.g., father) and rich lived experiences (e.g., trauma survivor). Our work seeks to acknowledge, understand, and integrate these identities and experiences in service of living a more authentic, effective, and satisfying version of one’s self. During our work, I will acknowledge my own identities and experiences and how they show up in our relationship.
I have been trained in a variety of theoretical frameworks, including cognitive, behavioral, dialectic, interpersonal/attachment, humanistic, relational psychodynamic, and family systems. Each of these approaches have strengths, and I frequently integrate them to meet the unique needs of each individual.
Get In Touch with Dr. Lake
To inquire about Dr. Lake consulting with your organization, please fill out the form below. Please do not send sensitive information to maintain your privacy.
If you are in crisis or need immediate assistance, please call 911 or go directly to your nearest emergency department.