CAT SCHULLY, LPC-S, CEO

My teen years were some of the hardest. I often felt like my emotions were too big for me to handle, and I believed no one could possibly understand. I kept everything bottled up. Most of the time, I felt awkward, lonely, and depressed—but no one ever knew.

Everything changed during my junior year of high school when I met with my school counselor for the first time. She listened, validated my feelings, and assured me I wasn’t “crazy,” like I had feared. That moment was a turning point. It inspired me to study psychology in college and eventually become the counselor I am today.

I earned my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Loyola University New Orleans in 2017. Since then, I’ve worked primarily with children and adolescents across a variety of settings, including community-based mental health, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and school counseling. Through these experiences, I developed specialized skills in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral challenges.

In 2020, I founded Creative Counseling and Wellness because I wanted the freedom to support clients in ways I knew were most effective. I also wanted to create the kind of safe, nonjudgmental space that had helped me so much during my own adolescence.

Over the first few years of running my practice, I deepened my work in play therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). I believe the real struggle with anxiety and depression often comes not from the emotions themselves, but from the exhausting effort to control or avoid them. I help clients recognize pain and discomfort as part of being human—and guide them in building a life that makes room for all of it, rather than one centered around fighting it.

In the past two years, I’ve discovered that I genuinely enjoy the business side of private practice—a part many therapists tend to avoid. I've leaned into that strength by growing Creative Counseling and Wellness across multiple states. I’m passionate about expanding access to affordable, affirming mental health care while also creating ethical, supportive workplaces for therapists who join our mission.

My hope is that everyone who connects with us—clients and therapists alike—can find a space where they truly feel they belong.

A little about me! I’m a proud cat mom to four adorable fur babies—Angel, Maple, Ziggy, and Phlox. They truly are my whole world. I’m a born-and-raised New Orleanian and absolutely love my city (well... maybe not so much during hurricane season 😅). I’m also a proud Swiftie—Folklore is my favorite album 🩶.

When I’m not working, you can usually find me on stage with my local community theater or sipping on an iced coffee 🧊☕. About two years ago, I unexpectedly fell in love with the world of business. Now, I’m fully embracing it and working every day to expand access to mental health care for as many people as possible.

EDUCATION

• Loyola University New Orleans, Graduated 2017

LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS

• License: Florida HealthTPMC1990 / 2022
• License: State of Arizona Board of Behavioral Health ExaminersLPC-22231 / 2023