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Meet Kate Gotelli, LCSW, SEP
NC Licensed Clinical Social Worker - License # C003625 Welcome to Mindful Awakening, PLLC. I am a licensed mental health professional based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, dedicated to helping individuals and couples heal deep trauma wounds, regulate their nervous systems, and restore vibrant, intimate relationships. Therapy works best when it is a true collaboration. I am an active, relational therapist, which means I do not just sit and listen—I actively engage with you. In our sessions, you will find a safe space to express yourself, gain insight, and acquire practical tools, all while being met with the supportive guidance and honest feedback necessary for real growth. |
Professional Credentials & Licensing
I am the founder and sole practitioner at Mindful Awakening, PLLC. My foundational and advanced clinical credentials include:
- Master of Social Work (MSW): San Diego State University graduate.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Fully licensed in North Carolina (License #C003625).
- Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP): Completed the 3-year certificate training with Somatic Experiencing® International (SEI).
- Certified EMDR Therapist: Fully credentialed through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
- Clinical Sexologist & Certified Sex Coach: Advanced specialization in sexual health and intimacy.
- Approved SE Personal Session & Case Consultation Provider: Authorized for Personal Sessions and Case Consultations towards the SEP Certificate.
- Clinical Supervisor: Providing North Carolina LCSW licensure supervision since 2004.
- Clinical Case Consultant: Offering licensed mental health clinicians advanced clinical case consultation services, specializing in somatic processing and trauma-informed care.
- Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator: Supporting couples at all relationship stages.
Clinical Case Consultation & Supervision
In addition to my clinical practice with individuals and couples, I am deeply committed to supporting the professional growth of fellow mental health practitioners. Drawing on nearly three decades of clinical experience and advanced trauma certifications, I provide specialized services for clinicians:
- Clinical Case Consultation: I offer licensed mental health clinicians advanced clinical case consultation services. These sessions are designed to help you navigate complex case dynamics, integrate body-centered somatic processing into your work, and deepen your trauma-informed framework.
- Approved SE Consultant: I am authorized to provide official Personal Sessions and Case Consultations for students navigating the Somatic Experiencing® International training curriculum.
- LCSW Licensure Supervision: I have been providing clinical supervision for LCSW licensure in North Carolina since 2004, partnering with clinicians to build a strong foundation of clinical excellence.
My Integrative Therapy Approach
- In my work with individuals, I specialize in somatic psychotherapy and advanced trauma resolution. My work is deeply informed by Somatic Experiencing®, Attachment Theory, Interpersonal Neurobiology and Internal Family Systems, alongside practical tools from Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and DBT. Rather than just talking about past painful events, I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Somatic Experiencing to help your mind and body safely reprocess traumatic memories and release chronic stress stored in the nervous system.
- In my relationship work, I integrate these somatic, body-centered awareness tools with evidence-based relationship frameworks such as Stan Tatkin's Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy, the Gottman Method, Imago Relationship Therapy and Internal Family Systems. Whether working on intimacy blocks, desire discrepancies, or communication breakdowns, I help partners step out of fight-or-flight reactivity so they can rebuild secure attachment and deep connection, navigate challenges and thrive in their relationship.
- I use a body-awareness approach to help you access your innate capacity for self-regulation, healing, and pleasure. My background as a Clinical Sexologist allows me to guide individuals and couples as they seek to heal and strengthen their relationships and reclaim their sexual lives—fostering a deeper connection built on a sense of safety, security, and true embodiment.
- As a Certified Prepare/Enrich Facilitator, I assist couples at all stages of their relationship - from dating to married for decades - to develop relationship skills to create meaningful, positive change.
Everyone is Welcome Here
I am committed to supporting individuals of all sexualities, genders, races, and relationship structures, and a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and non-judgmental space for all clients in the Chapel Hill and broader North Carolina community. My goal is to create a space where you can show up authentically and practice curiosity toward every part of your experience and all parts of yourself - especially the ones that feel at odds. Together, we will work toward cultivating greater internal peace, discovering new pathways to vitality & pleasure, as well as greater connection to your Self and the people and values that matter to you!
True Collaboration in a Safe Space
Therapy works best when it’s a true collaboration. I am an active, relational therapist, which means I don't just listen—I engage. In our sessions, you’ll find a safe space to express yourself, gain insight and tools, while being met with supportive guidance and honest feedback necessary for real growth.
I am here to support you in relating more authentically to yourself and others, becoming more effective in your daily life, and reclaiming your sense of balance. I am guided by the belief that you already possess unique strengths and internal resources. My role is to help you honor and enhance them. At the heart of my practice is the recognition of our common humanity: the universal need to be truly seen and understood, and the pursuit of a life filled with connection, purpose, and pleasure.
I am here to support you in relating more authentically to yourself and others, becoming more effective in your daily life, and reclaiming your sense of balance. I am guided by the belief that you already possess unique strengths and internal resources. My role is to help you honor and enhance them. At the heart of my practice is the recognition of our common humanity: the universal need to be truly seen and understood, and the pursuit of a life filled with connection, purpose, and pleasure.
Sex, Intimacy and Shame Resilience
For a decade, I served as a Daring Way™ Trained Facilitator (DWTF), leading 8-week experiential groups focused on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. Through this work, I continue to help clients navigate vulnerability and shame while cultivating the courage and "daily practices that transform the way we live, love, parent, and lead."
Early in my journey, I recognized a vital truth: our sexuality is fluid, evolving, and deeply tied to our sense of Self. Today, as a therapist specializing in trauma healing and shame resilience, I help clients move beyond just managing thoughts and feelings toward becoming truly embodied. Many clients share that sex and intimacy were often overlooked in their past therapeutic experiences—or worse, were sources of shame and misinformation. As a Clinical Sexologist, I bridge that gap. Drawing from Somatic Experiencing® (SE), interpersonal neurobiology, and my training as a Certified Sex Coach, I provide a safe, active space for individuals and couples, where together we work to dismantle shaming narratives and replace them with confidence, pleasure, and a deeply fulfilled sense of Self.
Early in my journey, I recognized a vital truth: our sexuality is fluid, evolving, and deeply tied to our sense of Self. Today, as a therapist specializing in trauma healing and shame resilience, I help clients move beyond just managing thoughts and feelings toward becoming truly embodied. Many clients share that sex and intimacy were often overlooked in their past therapeutic experiences—or worse, were sources of shame and misinformation. As a Clinical Sexologist, I bridge that gap. Drawing from Somatic Experiencing® (SE), interpersonal neurobiology, and my training as a Certified Sex Coach, I provide a safe, active space for individuals and couples, where together we work to dismantle shaming narratives and replace them with confidence, pleasure, and a deeply fulfilled sense of Self.
Beyond My Practice
I stay connected to the latest developments in the field through my work with organizations like Somatic Experiencing® International and EMDR International Association. A long-time advocate for clinical excellence, I have been providing clinical supervision for LCSW licensure in North Carolina since 2004 and have served as a Field Instructor for the School of Social Work at both UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC-Charlotte. Supporting the next generation of therapists and consultants is a vital part of my work.
My commitment to clinical education includes my time as an adjunct instructor at UNC-Chapel Hill, where I taught trauma and violence treatment at the graduate level. Today, I continue to partner with the UNC School of Social Work and AHEC as a Training Consultant. In this role, I provide advanced professional training for mental health practitioners on topics such as developmental trauma, resilience, somatic psychotherapies and anger management.
My commitment to clinical education includes my time as an adjunct instructor at UNC-Chapel Hill, where I taught trauma and violence treatment at the graduate level. Today, I continue to partner with the UNC School of Social Work and AHEC as a Training Consultant. In this role, I provide advanced professional training for mental health practitioners on topics such as developmental trauma, resilience, somatic psychotherapies and anger management.
Mindful Awakening, PLLC | Kate Gotelli, LCSW, SEP
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (North Carolina License #C003625)
📍 Chapel Hill, NC & Telehealth Across North Carolina
📞 [919-525-1743] | ✉️ [[email protected]]
© 2026 Mindful Awakening, PLLC. All Rights Reserved.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (North Carolina License #C003625)
📍 Chapel Hill, NC & Telehealth Across North Carolina
📞 [919-525-1743] | ✉️ [[email protected]]
© 2026 Mindful Awakening, PLLC. All Rights Reserved.
