I’m Dr. Kate Farwell, a Licensed Psychologist at The Banyan Tree Center in Athens, Georgia. I offer psychotherapy for clients ages 14 and up and psychological and neuropsychological assessments for clients ages 6 and up. I specialize in neurodivergence, complex trauma, and helping people finally understand how their brain works and why what they’ve tried before may not have worked as well as they needed it to. I see clients in person in Athens and via telehealth across Georgia and PSYPACT participating states.

I’m a scientist at heart, a data nerd, a lover of all things statistics and puzzles. I did not always know my path was to become a psychologist, and I’ve held various jobs in sales, marketing, radiology, finance, and medical records, but nothing truly felt like a fit. One day I was sitting in my own therapist’s office and her diploma caught my eye, and the light bulb went off. This was my path. I wanted to help people heal, tell their stories, understand themselves, and use data and science to understand thoughts and feelings. I went on to earn degrees from Pepperdine University and the University of Texas at Austin before earning my Psy.D. from Baylor University in 2017, specializing in assessment psychology. I have been a licensed psychologist since 2018.

Outside the office (“out in the wild,” as some of my colleagues say), I am a lifelong athlete. I have played competitive volleyball since age 7, from youth travel teams to Division I collegiate play to semi-professional settings. Sports taught me that training your mind is just as essential as training your body. Resilience, creative problem-solving, having a sense of humor during setbacks, knowing how to reframe when you’re tired and burned out, all of this comes from the court and training room, and I get to share this perspective with my clients every single day.

“You matter, and I want our work together to leave you feeling heard, understood, and less alone.”

Credentials and Background

• Licensed Psychologist, State of Georgia (#4808) and State of Texas (#37931)
• PSYPACT member, authority to practice across participating states (see psypact.org)
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Baylor University (2017)
• MA in Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University
• MEd in Educational Psychology, University of Texas at Austin
• 30 hours advanced DBT and RO-DBT training
• 20 hours TBRI training
• Adjunct faculty, undergraduate and graduate psychology courses
• Doctoral supervisor across practicum, internship, and post-doctoral residency settings
• Division I and semi-professional volleyball athlete

How I Work

• In person · The Banyan Tree Center, Athens GA
• Telehealth across Georgia and PSYPACT participating states
• Therapy ages 14+ · Testing ages 6+

Approaches: DBT · RO-DBT · TF-CBT · Psychodynamic · Systems framework · Psychological testing · Neuropsychological assessment

What I Specialize In

Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment in Athens, GA

Who I work with: My assessment clients reach out having searched endlessly for solutions before calling. If you’re here, this likely isn’t your first rodeo. You’ve probably tried therapy, medication, self-help books, podcasts, and endless research on social media and Doctor Google. Maybe you feel like you’re working extra hard for minimal relief. My clients often feel exhausted and discouraged, wondering if anyone will truly understand what’s going on and help them forge a path forward. If you’re reading this, welcome, you’re my people. I’m glad you’re here. Together we start by understanding how your brain works, so you can finally move forward with clarity and confidence.

What we do together: Our work starts with an initial interview, a collaborative conversation about your history, symptoms, and goals. We then meet for a separate assessment appointment, followed by a feedback session one to two weeks later to discuss the findings together. Some clients want to confirm a specific diagnosis. Others just want to feel better, regardless of labels. My approach is warm, collaborative, and comprehensive. Often we discover a mix of diagnoses and genuine strengths, and sometimes those hidden strengths have been masking your struggles all along. We piece together what’s really happening and then build a game plan for what’s next.

Complex and Relational Trauma in Athens, GA

Who I work with: Many of my therapy clients come in feeling stuck across many areas of their life, sensing there’s something deeper at play. They’ve journaled, confided in friends, read books, scoured the internet, and often understand themselves on an intellectual level. Yet nothing feels like it’s getting better. Bridging that gap between knowing and feeling is where our work begins.

What we do together: Therapy is a process and a relationship. Week to week, our work is both practical and affirming, both connecting on deeper matters and building skills to practice in real life. We focus on being mindful and curious, skillful and purposeful, and forging a bond between logic and emotion. In DBT we call this the wise mind. Over time, clients find themselves responding rather than reacting, pausing before acting, and showing up more intentionally in their relationships and daily life.

Neurodivergent Therapy in Athens, GA: ADHD, Autism, Giftedness, and Twice-Exceptional

Who I work with: My neurodivergent clients typically come in burned out, frustrated, and tired of being told to just work harder. The tried and true advice they’ve received feels minimizing because it isn’t getting at the root cause. They’re super capable people who are often exhausted and deflated despite their best efforts. Individual therapy helps build a deeper understanding, affirmation, and confidence in their sense of self so they can approach their struggles from an empowered rather than shame-based stance.

What we do together: We look at how neurodivergence is actually playing out in your life from an affirming, compassionate, skill-building approach. Where have your strengths been carrying you, and where are you hitting dead ends? We start with curiosity and compassion, asking what your goals are and why they matter to you. When we understand your why, we can integrate practical tools for success and confidence, look at what executive function skills are needed, and figure out how to ask for what you need without shame. I want you to leave equipped, understood, and set up for success.

A Few Things I Want You to Know

Before your first session: Come just as you are. All parts of you are welcome, especially the messy and complicated ones. Our work starts from a place of curiosity and understanding, hearing your story and creating space to explore, grow, and welcome meaningful change. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just starting is enough, and I’ll help with the rest.

Something I wish more people knew: Therapy is a unique and real-time relationship. It is a place to experiment, make mistakes, be curious, and take risks. It’s not always heavy. There’s room for laughter and lightness. My clients often come back excited to share breakthroughs or moments that clicked. Therapy is a whole-person experience, and it can be truly enjoyable. Assessment is also more than just testing. It is a process of investigation and curious inquiry, uncovering parts of yourself that have been muted or hidden, and developing a game plan to help things work better for you.

Who I do my best work with: Most of my clients have started their mental health journeys and encountered inconsistent results, disappointing diagnoses, and misguided treatment, and are still on the quest for healing despite the struggles. If you’re searching for honest answers, authenticity with a dash of humor, and a wholehearted partner in your journey, I’m your provider.

One more thing: Therapy and assessment are a process and a collaboration. I welcome questions and curiosity about the process, especially if something isn’t working or you’re unclear about where we’re headed. This is a conversation and a journey together, and I’m here to share resources, strategies, and ideas so you can have a life that feels whole and fulfilling. That’s what this work is all about.