About therapistAbout Katherine Berko, LCSW
Psychotherapist in New York
Welcome
Hi, I’m Katherine.
I’m a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW) in New York, offering virtual therapy to adults and couples throughout New York City and New York State.
Whether you’re new to therapy or returning to it, this page is meant to give you a sense of who I am and what it might feel like to sit together.
I’ve always been drawn to writing and storytelling and this continues to shape how I listen, especially for what’s just beneath the surface.
As a born and raised New Yorker, I’m familiar with the pace and pressure that shape life here, and how easily achievement can become tied to a sense of self.
Why I Do This Work
I’m a writer and former journalist. Over time, I found myself less interested in telling people’s stories for publication, and more drawn to listening closely and helping people understand themselves.
I believe words have power, and that being deeply heard can be transformative.
I don’t see therapy as a place to “fix” what’s wrong. I see it as a place to become more aware of yourself, your patterns, your emotional life, your relationships, and the ways your past continues to shape your present.
Over time, that kind of awareness can open up new possibilities. This shift tends to come not from advice, but from a deeper understanding of yourself.
My Background
I received my undergraduate degree from Duke University, where I studied psychology, journalism, and creative writing, and my Master of Social Work (MSW) from NYU.
After graduate school, I completed a two-year intensive psychoanalytic training at the New York Counseling and Guidance Service, where I deepened my work in psychodynamic and relational therapy.
I’ve also trained in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Tavistock approach for couples, and I incorporate elements of the Gottman Method when helpful.
Earlier in my career, I worked in a health humanities lab exploring how literature and the arts can shape medical care, including how language helps people make sense of their experiences. That perspective continues to influence how I think about therapy.
I’m a member of the American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work and participate in the New Directions conferences for therapists and writers, where I also lead writing groups.