Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathryn Wilson.
Hi Cathryn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a home where there was a lot of instability. My father struggled with alcoholism, and my mom worked tirelessly as the sole provider for my sister and me. That meant she was often away on work trips or long hours at her job, and from a young age I felt the weight of needing to take care of my sister while at the same time feeling like I was falling apart inside. I struggled with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder.
Somewhere along the way, movement became my lifeline. No one taught me to use it—I just intuitively turned to dancing as a way to release and process emotions I didn’t have words for. Even though I didn’t take a formal dance class until college, dance became the outlet that healed me. It gave me a sense of relief and aliveness that I couldn’t find anywhere else.
That personal experience shaped my desire to help others in their suffering. I knew what it was like to feel lost, and I wanted to put what I had been through to good use. When I discovered dance/movement therapy, I knew I had found my calling. From there I also became a certified yoga therapist, and I fell in love with more traditional psychology as well—particularly the narrative nature of being and how our stories interface with reality. For me, this is often the missing link in explaining why modalities like CBT can be so effective.
Today, I’m grateful to provide therapy out of a group office in Carlsbad and virtually throughout San Diego. I live in Fallbrook, where I also lead wellness workshops at Sage Yoga Studio. My work is about helping people reconnect with themselves, process their emotions in a grounded way, and discover meaning in their story—because I believe healing is possible, even from the deepest pain.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to get here has been winding with lots of bumps! Pursuing dance/movement therapy brought up a lot of my own insecurities. Because I didn’t grow up in formal dance training, I struggled with imposter syndrome—feeling like maybe I didn’t belong in a field with the word “dance” in it. I had to work through the belief that movement needed to look polished or professional to have value. What I eventually realized is that movement in therapy isn’t about performance at all—it’s about authentic expression, about letting the body communicate what words sometimes can’t.
That shift didn’t happen overnight. I had to face the ways my old narratives of “not enough” were holding me back. Over time, through my own therapeutic work and self-reflection, I began to see how those limiting beliefs weren’t just shaping my sense of self, but also keeping me from stepping fully into my calling. The process of overcoming that imposter syndrome actually made me a better therapist—it gave me firsthand experience in rewriting my own story and trusting the wisdom of the body.
Like many people in the helping professions, I’ve also had to learn how to take care of myself while caring for others, how to find steadiness after my own seasons of anxiety and self-doubt. None of those struggles were wasted though—they deepened my empathy and reminded me that the healing work we do is rarely linear.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in working with people who feel disconnected from themselves—whether that shows up as anxiety, depression, self-doubt, or just a sense of being “stuck.” I’m especially drawn to clients in life transitions, or those questioning their sense of purpose and identity. In sessions, I draw from cognitive-behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and somatic approaches, weaving in movement and mindfulness practices when they support the process.
What sets my work apart is that I don’t see the mind and body as separate. Many people come to therapy feeling like they’ve tried to “think their way” into change and still end up repeating old patterns. By incorporating the body—whether through movement, breath, or simply learning to notice sensations—I help clients access deeper layers of healing.
I’m most proud of creating a practice where clients feel safe to be their authentic selves. My own journey taught me that healing happens when we feel both seen and empowered, and I carry that into my work every day. I also love that I get to share this in different settings—through one-on-one therapy in my Carlsbad office and virtually throughout San Diego, and through wellness workshops I lead at Sage Yoga Studio in Fallbrook.
Ultimately, I think what sets me apart is the blend of empathy from my lived experience, the academic grounding of psychology, and the creativity of movement. My work is about helping people reclaim their sense of steadiness, self-trust, and purpose—because I truly believe that healing is possible, even from the deepest pain.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Trust the process—you don’t need all the answers to take the next step.
Pricing:
- $145 for individual therapy sessions
- $185 for couples therapy sessions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rootedinrenewal.com
- Instagram: rootedinrenewal
Image Credits
Goldenray Photography
