Katherine Haag

Bio

I’m a trauma-informed social worker, counsellor, and somatic practitioner with over 15 years of experience in community services and two decades of working directly with people. Currently based in Cairns, I’m passionate about holistic, body-mind approaches that support deep healing, personal transformation, and greater self-awareness.

My work is grounded in the belief that true healing happens when we reconnect with ourselves; mentally, emotionally, and physically. I hold a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology & International Studies) a Master’s in Social Work, and a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma, alongside specialised training in somatic coaching. I completed certifications in Embodied Transformation and Developmental Coaching through Coaches Rising (USA), a program that weaves together neuroscience, adult development theory, and somatic psychology to create lasting change. This training has helped me understand how unconscious patterns, nervous system regulation, and embodied awareness influence personal growth. My approach goes beyond just talking about challenges, it helps people access deeper healing by working directly with the felt sense, nervous system responses, and embodied presence.

In addition to my counselling work, mindfulness and meditation are an essential part of my practice. I completed a two-year mindfulness meditation training with Dr. Tara Brach and Dr. Jack Kornfield (2020-2022), strengthening my skills in trauma-sensitive mindfulness, meditation, and self-compassion practices. I am also a Mental Health Leadership Fellow (2018-2019), dedicated to advocating for integrative and innovative approaches in mental health care.

My passion for body-based healing has led me to complete over 1,000 hours of training as a yoga and meditation teacher, breathwork/pranayama instructor, and in 2022, a Cert IV in Massage Therapy. I believe that the body holds profound wisdom, and when we learn to listen to it, we can unlock powerful pathways to healing. At the heart of my work is a deep respect for each person’s unique journey.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked across local government, non-profits, tertiary education, and psychosocial support, taking on leadership roles where I’ve provided clinical supervision, project management, and high-risk client intervention.

My deep commitment to holistic mental health has also drawn me to explore the safe and ethical integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy into clinical practice.

I believe that the benefits of these therapies can be maximised with trauma-informed, somatic, and mindfulness-based approaches: these modalities have the potential to create profound and lasting transformation.