Katie Polsky, PhD., is the visionary Founder of VP, which she established and grew to provide ethical, compassionate care to the community. As a compassionate and empowering clinical psychologist, she operates from the heartfelt philosophy that our relationships are the true foundation for healing past wounds. Her core purpose is to walk alongside individuals, illuminating their innate ability to grow, heal, and create meaningful change.

Dr. Polsky is currently focused on overseeing VP operations, which includes all clinical training, supervision, consultation with our therapists, and managing the process of matching clients to the right specialists. While she remains clinically involved, she is not accepting new individual clients at this time.

With a grounding in relational psychodynamic therapy, Dr. Polsky uses an integrative approach tailored to each person’s unique journey. She expertly weaves in evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and LGBT-affirmative therapy. She also deeply values group therapy, considering it a beautiful and vital part of the healing process that fosters a shared sense of community and mutual support.

Outside of the consultation room, Dr. Polsky has a variety of unique interests:

• She grew up as a competitive figure skater and dancer.
• She loves to travel, art, hike, explore the outdoors, and immerse herself in new, interesting places and cultures.
• She finds the world of mushrooms and their healing power absolutely fascinating.
• She is an animal lover with two dogs and a cat.

Her clinical expertise centers on treating eating disorders, OCD, trauma, and anxiety. She is honored to work closely with the LGBTQIA+ community and underserved populations, as well as professional women and leaders striving for personal growth and life balance. As a passionate advocate for the future of mental health, her professional heart is focused on clinical consultation, guiding professional leaders, and exploring the emerging frontier of technology. She is highly invested in consulting on how Artificial Intelligence can be utilized in the mental health space thoughtfully, ethically, and in a trauma-informed manner, always striving to ensure it powerfully enhances care while preserving the irreplaceable human connection. She has also enjoyed sharing her knowledge through speaking and consultation, including for the Joy of Medicine program, where she explores the complex treatments of eating disorders and OCD.

Dr. Polsky’s academic and professional journey reflects two decades of dedication to community health and specialized clinical care. Her education includes undergraduate studies at UCLA and a Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles. Her rigorous clinical background includes training at Caltech, the Gay and Lesbian and Maple Counseling Centers in Southern California, followed by a postdoctoral residency at Humboldt State University.

Over the past two decades, she has held vital community and leadership roles. Highlights include serving as Clinical Director for an Eating Disorder Program where she oversaw Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization programs and successfully reopened their Residential Treatment Program and working as a specialized clinician at an Anxiety Treatment Center IOP in Sacramento. Beyond clinical service, she has demonstrated community leadership within the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association, serving as both a member-at-large and a LAN representative (Local Advocacy Network). Furthermore, she has shared her specialized knowledge by speaking at local and national conferences on topics such as OCD and eating disorders.

English.

LICENSE: CALIFORNIA / #PSY23342

Katie Polsky sacramento psychologist eating disorders OCD LGBTQ+

Katie Polsky sacramento psychologist eating disorders OCD LGBTQ+