Katie McIntosh
Welcome to Mood and Food Connections, PLLC. My name is Katie McIntosh; I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in bariatrics, disordered eating, bariatric evaluations and pre-and post-operative therapy. I also treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, life changes, traumatic experiences and symptoms, women's issues and other significant life events.
I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Social Work with a specialty in Mental Health from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I have been practicing Social Work professionally for over 7 years in various settings.
I have grown up for most of my life in Mooresville, North Carolina. Throughout my life, I have experienced several life changes that have affected my growth and passion for helping others. Much of my growth began in therapy, impacting and changing my life forever. Things happen in life that we don't expect or plan for, but we can learn to cope with and face challenges without feeling hopeless or devastated. Trauma affects everyone in different ways; emotionally and physically. How a person copes with their emotions may present in different forms, including: food, anxiety, depression, substance abuse or PTSD. Working with someone who can relate or can be with you in the present makes a difference when feeling hesitant to seek out help and support.
I am passionate about bariatrics; helping others become mindful of their eating habits and learning about the relationship we have with food. Bariatric surgery can be the first step toward a healthier life and therapy can help with the lifestyle changes that will take place before and after surgery. People with disordered eating are often misunderstood, as they do not fit criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis. Someone suffering from disordered eating may have chronic weight fluctuation, guilt or shame regarding eating certain foods, preoccupation with dieting, weight and body image and feeling a loss of control around food. Often holding themselves to strict, rigid rituals regarding food and exercise for fear of failure. Many suffering from disordered eating are hard to treat if not referred to therapy; may nutritionists may be unaware or unfamiliar with these harmful and problematic eating behaviors. Many times those exhibiting symptoms of disordered eating may be experiencing high levels of physical, mental or emotional stress.
My hope for you, as it was for me, is that working together we can discover the root of not only your current problems but also learned behaviors that have been contributing to some of the pain or circumstances you are going through. While you may not know exactly what will help, therapy gives us the tools to address the issues you are facing now and will in the future. With support and courage, therapy can help you to find yourself and to change how you want your life to be moving forward. Taking that first step to consider therapy is the start of your journey; take a moment and give yourself credit for that. I am here to help and provide support as you move forward and am privileged to be a part of your journey.
I know how you feel, what you're going through and I am here to help you. I believe my journey and my life has brought me here to help others and share my experience in a non-judgement, compassionate environment.