Rev. Kat Katsanis-Semel: Faith & Suicide

Content Warning: Pastor Kelsey and Rev. Kat discuss Suicide, Suicide Ideation and topics around Mental Health, and the theology surrounding these topics. Be gentle with yourself when approaching this episode. 

For nearly twenty years, Rev. Kat Katsanis-Semel, M.A. has offered workshops and sessions to those who seek greater mental and spiritual wellbeing. Rev. Kat provides wellness-oriented offerings that share concrete skills with communities, families and individuals. She’s served both as an independent consultant and via organizations, such as: Mental Health America of San Diego County, Community Health Improvement Partners, The Chopra Center, On Point Acupuncture and Wellness, Deaf Community Services, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Fraternity House, Inc., World Yoga Center NYC, Community Resources and Self-Help (CRASH), Serving Seniors, Sarah Lawrence College and NYU. 

As an ordained minister and former chaplain, Kat enjoys facilitating wellness-oriented workshops in faith-based settings, especially to those who serve congregants. Blending intellectual acumen with spiritual sensitivity, Kat pairs public health instruction with intuitive insights that transform her clients’ lives. Kat has shared mental wellness techniques in the following places of worship, within the County of San Diego: St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Community Church, St. Thomas More Catholic Church and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. Some of the healthy coping mechanisms that she offers are: Hatha Yoga for physical resiliency, Yoga Nidra for nervous system restoration and deep relaxation, Pranayama (Breathing Exercises) for stress relief and emotional balance, and Mindfulness Meditation for mental clarity. In Jesus-centered environments, Kat can also draw on ancient prayer techniques, unique to her primary, spiritual tradition. Kat contextualizes the mind-body-spirit work that she offers as preventative medicine; for it is through motivating individuals to reduce anxiety and increase wellbeing that we can prevent many negative health outcomes, which range from hypertension, to serious mental illness, to self-injurious behavior. 

Kat is dedicated to being part of the solution; as such, she offers relevant, wellness strategies, from a trauma-informed perspective. Though her specialty is serving the LGBTQ+-community, Kat delights in serving anyone who is open to becoming well or enhancing their experience of wellness. After intensive study, she earned her “Question, Persuade, Refer” teacher’s training certification in 2018; then, she went on to earn her “Mental Health First Aid” teacher’s training certification in 2019. Now, she offers evidence-based, suicide prevention/intervention trainings with candor and warmth, to small and large groups. To book an educational experience or pastoral care session with Kat, email: [email protected].