Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW

About

Katie Willard Virant, MSW, JD, LCSW is a psychotherapist practicing in St. Louis. She is a graduate of the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and of the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute’s Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy program. She works with adults, adolescents and children on a variety of issues, including loss and grief, life transitions, and living with chronic illness.

Recent Posts

The Biopsychosocial Model of Illness

The Biopsychosocial Model of Illness incorporates biological, psychological and social factors in analyzing illness.

Transitions in Chronic Illness

Chronic illness is marked by continual transitions. Learn more about how to live well with constant change.

Mindset and Chronic Illness

Our assumptions and beliefs matter as we navigate living with chronic illness.

How Chronic Illness and Masculinity Intersect

Men's experience of chronic illness is often affected by cultural ideas of masculinity. Learn more about why this occurs and how to mitigate harm.

Chronic Illness and Self-Trust

Self-trust is an important component of well-being. Learn how chronic illness affects self-trust and explore ways to nurture it.

Chronic Illness as a Biographical Disruption

Like chronic illness, COVID is a biographical disruption; there are parallels between these two experiences.

Validation and Pain: Why Witnessing Matters

Invalidation of pain is a common experience for those living with chronic illness. Learn why pain validation is important and how to validate effectively.

Communication and Chronic Illness

Communication about chronic illness matters. Learn how to recognize and respond to harmful communications.

A Writing Exercise for Increased Well-Being

Writing about ourselves can help our well-being.

Working With Automatic Thoughts

While our brain's automatic thoughts streamline efficiency, sometimes they are unhelpful and need to be challenged. Learn more about changing cognitive biases.