About Me

I’m Kathryn Scruggs, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and professional clinical counselor (LPCC) based in Marin County. I specialize in working with teens, families, and adults navigating complex transitions, identity development, relational challenges, and recovery from emotional or behavioral struggles.

My path to becoming a therapist began with a deep fascination with people—their stories, their struggles, and their capacity to grow. From an early age, I was drawn to books, music, and art that helped me understand the human experience. Later, I faced my own challenges with mental health and substance use and found healing through connection, accountability, and care. These experiences continue to inform my perspective as a clinician—not because my story is the focus, but because I understand the importance of being met with empathy and presence in difficult moments.

With over a decade of experience in the field, I’ve worked in a range of settings, including university counseling services and a nonprofit community-based organization where I’ve provided therapy in schools—elementary through high school—facilitated a diversion program for adults, and offered sliding-scale services to the broader community through a counseling collaborative. I’ve had the privilege of supporting young people through pivotal moments, walking alongside families in conflict, and witnessing meaningful transformations in people reclaiming their lives from addiction, trauma, and the isolation or shame that often follows.

I bring not only clinical training but also compassion grounded in personal experience, practical tools, and a steady sense of humor. I’m deeply committed to creating a space where clients feel safe, respected, and empowered to move forward—whatever that may look like for them.

Therapeutic Approach

I practice from a humanistic foundation—person-centered, relational, and deeply respectful of each client’s inner wisdom. I believe therapy works best when you feel seen, heard, and valued. The therapeutic relationship itself is central to healing, and I aim to foster a space that is warm, authentic, and collaborative.

While my approach is always tailored to the individual, I often draw from:

• Motivational Interviewing – to support self-directed change when clients feel stuck or ambivalent

• Psychodynamic & Systems Work – especially when addressing early relational wounds, identity development, or family dynamics

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – to assist with developing concrete tools for navigating anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, or interpersonal challenges

• Mindfulness and Guided Imagery – to support grounding, self-awareness, and emotional integration

Working with teens is one of my greatest joys. I bring experience navigating the emotional landscapes of adolescence—including questions of identity, autonomy, gender, purpose, and belonging. I also work closely with parents and caregivers, helping them better understand and support their teens while tending to their own needs and frustrations.

I’m LGBTQIA+ affirming and committed to creating an inclusive, respectful space that honors the lived experience of everyone I work with. I’m also in long-term recovery, which informs the care I bring to my work with people affected by substance use.

I’m here to walk alongside you—not as someone with all the answers, but as someone who shows up with care, honesty, and the tools to support meaningful change.

If you're curious about whether we’d be a good fit, feel free to reach out or schedule a free introductory call.

I look forward to hearing from you.