Frequently Asked Questions

  • Counseling is a space to slow down and make sense of what feels overwhelming, confusing, or stuck.

    My approach is collaborative and grounded. We look at what’s happening in your thoughts, emotions, body, and relationships — not just the surface symptoms. I also bring in practical skills when they’re helpful, especially from DBT, so you’re not just talking about patterns but learning ways to shift them.

    Over time, the goal is not dependency on therapy, but more clarity, steadiness, and confidence in how you relate to yourself and your life.

  • I work with adolescents, young adults, and adults who are feeling overwhelmed, emotionally sensitive, stuck in patterns they want to change, or unsure how to move forward in their lives.

    Many of the people I see identify as highly sensitive, anxious, self-critical, or easily dysregulated. Others are navigating depression, relationship stress, identity questions, life transitions, or a general sense of feeling "too much" or "not enough" at the same time.

    A significant part of my practice focuses on gender-related experiences — including dysphoria, transition-related decisions, detransition, and periods of uncertainty. I work with adolescents and young adults navigating these questions, and I take an exploratory, whole-person approach that considers far more than identity labels alone.

    I also work with the parents and families of gender-distressed youth. Whether you're looking for guidance on how to support your child, help navigating a strained relationship, or simply a space to process what you're carrying as a parent, that work is something I take seriously and offer as a distinct focus of my practice.

    Across all of this, the work centers on slowing things down enough to understand what's happening internally, and building practical ways to feel more steady, connected, and self-trusting.

  • Sessions are a space to slow down and talk through what’s happening in your life in a structured but flexible way.

    We might focus on recent experiences, patterns you’re noticing, or what feels most emotionally active in the moment. I may also introduce practical skills or grounding strategies when they feel relevant.

    The pace is collaborative — we follow what feels most important, while also gently building insight and tools you can use outside of therapy.

  • If you're an individual looking for therapy, you can reach out through the contact form on my website or book an initial 15-minute phone consultation directly here.

    If you're a parent or family member, I ask that you start by filling out a brief contact form designed specifically for families. It helps me understand your situation before we speak, so we can make the most of our consultation. I'll review your responses and reach out within 1–2 business days to schedule a free 15-minute call.

    In either case, if we decide to move forward we'll schedule an intake appointment and begin getting a clearer picture of what brings you in and what you're hoping for. There's no pressure to have everything figured out before you reach out.

  • My work is integrative, with a strong foundation in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), person-centered therapy, and mind-body awareness.

    DBT informs a lot of the structure of our work — especially when it comes to understanding emotions, reducing overwhelm, and building practical skills for regulation and change. I also draw on somatic awareness to help you notice how experiences show up in the body, not just in thoughts.

    More than any single model, I focus on what feels helpful and usable for you as a person, not just as a theory.

  • I offer both in-person and online therapy sessions. In-person appointments are available at my office in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA. Telehealth sessions are available for clients located throughout Pennsylvania and Florida, allowing you to meet with me from the comfort of your home, office, or any private space where you feel safe and at ease.

    Research consistently shows that telehealth therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for many concerns. In some cases, it can even enhance the work by reducing travel stress, increasing consistency, and allowing you to engage in therapy within your real-life environment. For many clients, meeting from a familiar space supports greater openness and integration between sessions.

    Whether you choose to meet in person or online, we'll work together to find the format that best supports your needs and goals.

  • Absolutely. Many men grow up feeling pressure to suppress emotions, push through stress, or avoid vulnerability altogether. Some of the men I work with are deeply thoughtful, emotionally sensitive, self-aware, or prone to overthinking, but have spent years feeling misunderstood or unsure where those traits fit.

    Therapy can offer space to slow down, understand yourself more clearly, and develop a healthier relationship with emotions without needing to become someone you’re not.

  • Yes. My approach is thoughtful and individualized, considering the many factors that can influence identity development and emotional well-being, including family, peers, school, social influences, and online environments. Rather than focusing on labels alone, I aim to understand the whole person and the broader context of their experiences so that individuals and families can move forward with greater understanding and confidence.

    Visit my Parents & Families page to learn more about my approach, or request a 15-minute consultation with me here.

  • The initial consultation is a brief 15-minute phone conversation where we get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit.

    For individuals, we'll talk about what's bringing you in, what you're looking for, and any questions you have about therapy or my approach. You don't need to prepare anything in advance.

    For parents and families, the consultation is a chance to share what's happening with your child, what you've already tried, and what you're hoping therapy might offer. I'll listen, answer your questions, and give you a sense of how I work with families. Because there's often more ground to cover, I ask that parents fill out a brief contact form before we speak — it helps me understand your situation in advance so we can make the most of our time together.

    In either case, there's no pressure and nothing to prepare. It's simply a conversation — a chance to connect and see if it feels right.

  • I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to start. From there, fees are as follows:

    • Individual intake (60 minutes): $210

    • Individual therapy (50 minutes): $160

    • Parent consultation (50 minutes): $160

    • Family intake (60 minutes): $250

    • Family sessions (50 minutes): $200

    I am a private-pay practitioner and do not accept insurance. Upon request, I can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement through your insurance provider.

  • Yes. Many of the people I work with identify as highly sensitive people or simply feel emotions deeply and process life in an intense, thoughtful way. They may become easily overwhelmed by stress, conflict, pressure, or overstimulation, while also being deeply empathetic, reflective, and emotionally attuned.

    Sensitivity is not something I view as a weakness to “fix.” Therapy can help you better understand your nervous system, relate to yourself more compassionately, and build ways of moving through life that feel more grounded and sustainable.

  • I work with people across a wide range of gender-related experiences — including gender dysphoria, transition-related decisions, detransition, and periods of uncertainty, questioning, or grief.

    Some people come to therapy with a clear sense of what they want, while others feel conflicted, emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, or unsure how to make sense of what they’re experiencing. For some highly sensitive men, this can also include feeling out of place within traditional expectations around masculinity, identity, emotion, or belonging.

    There is no assumed direction or outcome in our work. The focus is on slowing things down enough to better understand your experience, reduce pressure and reactivity, and make decisions from a more grounded and self-connected place.

  • I understand that life happens and plans sometimes change. When possible, I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling to avoid a cancellation fee.

  • How long you stay in therapy — and how often we meet — really depends on your needs and goals. Some people come for short-term support around a specific issue, while others find longer-term work helpful for deeper patterns or ongoing support.

    Most clients start with weekly sessions, especially in the beginning, because consistency helps build momentum and allows therapy to feel more effective. Over time, some people choose to move to biweekly sessions as they feel more stable or confident using the skills outside of therapy.

    We’ll check in along the way to make sure the frequency and focus of therapy still feel helpful and like the right fit for you.

    I don’t believe therapy is meant to last forever. One of the things I value about Dialectical Behavior Therapy is that it helps you build skills to become your own therapist over time, with the goal of eventually feeling ready to end therapy when the time is right for you.

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Get in Touch

You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Feel free to share as much or as little as feels comfortable.

  • 270 West Walnut Lane
    Philadelphia, PA 19144

  • Please use the contact form to reach me. I look forward to hearing from you!

  • Ready to book a consultation? I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we are a good fit. Use this link to request a time. I look forward to meeting you!

Kathryn Hilton, LPC, provides in-person therapy in Philadelphia, PA, and telehealth services throughout Pennsylvania and Florida.
Parents & Families: Request a Consultation