MEET CATHERINE
I am a Psychotherapist with 20+ years of experience in the Bay Area. Working with me, you will find that I am solution focused, positive, person-centered, and highly collaborative in my work.
3 Sources of Knowledge
My work as a therapist is the synthesis of 3 different sources of knowledge:
- Active and ongoing study.
- The integration and practice of what I have learned in my own life.
- The knowledge of all I have garnered from my clients over the course of my 20-year career.
I have a passion for learning and study. I enjoy keeping up to date on what the research is telling us about what works, not only in therapy but in life! I make a point of educating myself deeply about the issues that my clients bring to me.
My presence as a therapist is enhanced greatly by my own experience and all that I have learned from my own life and journey. I don’t talk about myself much, but I have developed many tools and strategies that work, I know, because I use them myself.
A session with me is not just the compilation of what I learned in school, or from a few articles; it is the synthesis of a lifetime of active pursuit of knowledge about mental and relational health, both within education and academic settings AND as it applies in the “real world”; to the real people whom I have had the honor of working with and to my own lifelong and deeply introspective journey.
Practical Experience
Throughout my career, I have focused on helping people become their best selves, achieving satisfying and healthy relationships, achieving work/life balance, providing prevention services, and treatment and support of youth and adolescents, their families, and individuals in all stages of life.
During my nearly 20+ year professional life as a psychotherapist, I have worked within local agencies providing both therapy and clinical supervision services. Some of the California non-profit agencies where I have practiced include Community Solutions in Gilroy/Hollister California, Education Training and Research (ETR) in Scotts Valley, PVPSA in Watsonville, and Encompass in Santa Cruz. I have also maintained a diverse private practice in Santa Cruz County.
Education and Licensing
I received my Bachelors of Science in Child Development from California State University, Fresno and a Masters of Science in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from San Jose State University. My MFT license is issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences #MFT 36001. I have been licensed since 1999. I am an active member of The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).
Certified Wellness Educator
Although not a part of formal pyschotherapist licensing, I became a Certified Wellness Educator in 2017. This certification has allowed me to deepen my understanding of various interlocking systems and dynamics in the human body and mind that affect our overall wellness.
HOW I HELP
Therapy tailored to your specific needs.
As a new client, our initial session will begin with me learning a little bit about what is going on for you and what brought you into therapy. This helps me get a general impression of the ways you might view the problems you’re facing and the possible solutions. I can also answer questions you may have about therapy, the process and expectations.
I like to build upon strengths right from the beginning.
It’s important to understand how you’ve arrived where you are now. However, I like to put energy toward where you want to go. With that in mind, from the very start, we’ll begin to explore your inner and external strengths and how to use those assets as we address the obstacles that you may be facing.
I help you explore the problems and find solutions.
Solution-Focused Therapy
When I work with Individuals, Couples, Teens, Parents, and Children, I am most interested in what those involved see as the solutions to their problems, what they desire to experience as a result of therapy. Because of this, my main focus as a therapist is on the solutions to a problem rather than always the problems themselves. It is just a matter of perspective, but I have found that it makes a world of difference.
It is my belief that what we put our attention to expands. My goal is to help my clients in giving some thought and attention to the life and relationships that they are reaching for as a result of this time in therapy. In this way, I hope to help them to go beyond their problems and begin to dwell, at least a little bit, in the world they are working so diligently to create.
Buried within the contrast that each problem illuminates, lies the dreams and hopes of life with the reduction or absence of that problem. It is the content of what each person wishes to express/feel/experience in their life that guides the way toward healing and relief. This is Solution-Focused Therapy. As the elements of living that are most fervently desired are attended to, and we dwell less and less on what is stopping us, we are liberated from our limitations.
3 Sources of Knowledge
My work as a therapist is the synthesis of 3 different sources of knowledge:
- Active and ongoing study.
- The integration and practice of what I have learned in my own life.
- The knowledge of all I have garnered from my clients over the course of my 20-year career.
I have a passion for learning and study. I enjoy keeping up to date on what the research is telling us about what works, not only in therapy but in life! I make a point of educating myself deeply about the issues that my clients bring to me.
My presence as a therapist is enhanced greatly by my own experience and all that I have learned from my own life and journey. I don’t talk about myself much, but I have developed many tools and strategies that work, I know, because I use them myself.
A session with me is not just the compilation of what I learned in school, or from a few articles; it is the synthesis of a lifetime of active pursuit of knowledge about mental and relational health, both within education and academic settings AND as it applies in the “real world”; to the real people whom I have had the honor of working with and to my own lifelong and deeply introspective journey.
Practical Experience
Throughout my career, I have focused on helping people become their best selves, achieving satisfying and healthy relationships, achieving work/life balance, providing prevention services, and treatment and support of youth and adolescents, their families, and individuals in all stages of life.
During my nearly 20+ year professional life as a psychotherapist, I have worked within local agencies providing both therapy and clinical supervision services. Some of the California non-profit agencies where I have practiced include Community Solutions in Gilroy/Hollister California, Education Training and Research (ETR) in Scotts Valley, PVPSA in Watsonville, and Encompass in Santa Cruz. I have also maintained a diverse private practice in Santa Cruz County.
Education and Licensing
I received my Bachelors of Science in Child Development from California State University, Fresno and a Masters of Science in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from San Jose State University. My MFT license is issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences #MFT 36001. I have been licensed since 1999. I am an active member of The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).
Certified Wellness Educator
Although not a part of formal pyschotherapist licensing, I became a Certified Wellness Educator in 2017. This certification has allowed me to deepen my understanding of various interlocking systems and dynamics in the human body and mind that affect our overall wellness.
HOW I HELP
Therapy tailored to your specific needs.
As a new client, our initial session will begin with me learning a little bit about what is going on for you and what brought you into therapy. This helps me get a general impression of the ways you might view the problems you’re facing and the possible solutions. I can also answer questions you may have about therapy, the process and expectations.
I like to build upon strengths right from the beginning.
It’s important to understand how you’ve arrived where you are now. However, I like to put energy toward where you want to go. With that in mind, from the very start, we’ll begin to explore your inner and external strengths and how to use those assets as we address the obstacles that you may be facing.
I help you explore the problems and find solutions.
Solution-Focused Therapy
When I work with Individuals, Couples, Teens, Parents, and Children, I am most interested in what those involved see as the solutions to their problems, what they desire to experience as a result of therapy. Because of this, my main focus as a therapist is on the solutions to a problem rather than always the problems themselves. It is just a matter of perspective, but I have found that it makes a world of difference.
It is my belief that what we put our attention to expands. My goal is to help my clients in giving some thought and attention to the life and relationships that they are reaching for as a result of this time in therapy. In this way, I hope to help them to go beyond their problems and begin to dwell, at least a little bit, in the world they are working so diligently to create.
Buried within the contrast that each problem illuminates, lies the dreams and hopes of life with the reduction or absence of that problem. It is the content of what each person wishes to express/feel/experience in their life that guides the way toward healing and relief. This is Solution-Focused Therapy. As the elements of living that are most fervently desired are attended to, and we dwell less and less on what is stopping us, we are liberated from our limitations.
Let’s Talk
Call now for an appointment
(831) 246-2545
CATHERINE MARCOTTE
720 River Street, Suite 7 (in the Gateway Plaza)
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Appointments available:
Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am - 5pm
Closed Monday, Saturday & Sunday
Evening appointments available.
Weekend appointments available by special arrangement.
© Copyright 2026. Catherine Marcotte, MFT. All Rights Reserved.