Katherine Melton shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Katherine, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I am learning in two primary ways. First, I am continuously engaging with research, evidence-based practices, and professional development opportunities offered by other experts in the field. That ongoing learning helps ensure that my work remains current, effective, and grounded in best practices. At the same time, I know that real growth and healing happens when we center around the voices of those we serve. I learn every day from clients I serve and the communities I work with. Without their perspectives at the table, services risk missing what people actually need or being developed and implemented in a way that does not align with community interests.
Whether I am coaching individuals one-on-one or consulting with organizations, I approach the work with curiosity, humility, and flexibility. I believe in tailoring strategies to people’s unique strengths, needs, and learning styles rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. That willingness to learn directly from clients allows me to stand alongside them as an advocate and supporter, not as someone who dictates what should happen, how they achieve their growth and healing, or how they authentically share their story. Ultimately, I have found that this individualized, strengths-based approach creates not only better outcomes but also spaces where people feel safe to show up authentically and seek support. The moment people feel seen and heard for who they are, in any way they show up, is the moment that healing begins to happen.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Katherine, and I am the Owner, Senior Wellbeing Consultant, and Wellbeing and Lifestyle Coach at Integrated Wellbeing Consulting. Alongside my consulting and coaching work, I am also an author. My published resources include the Hope and the Winds of Grief Workbook, a contributor role on the Hope and the Winds of Grief storybook, and the workbooks “Recovery Journal and Activity Workbook” and “Color In Calmness”. I also have an upcoming book designed to help youth strengthen self-esteem and self-worth during their formative years. Writing and resource development have become an extension of my professional mission—to make mental health and wellbeing tools more accessible, strengths-based, trauma informed, and compassionate.
At Integrated Wellbeing Consulting, our work is divided into two main areas. On the organizational side, we provide consultation focused on individual recovery programming, recovery-friendly workplace initiatives, and employee wellbeing strategies. On the individual side, we offer one-on-one Wellbeing and Lifestyle Coaching services. These services are intentionally designed not to replace clinical care, but to serve as a supportive bridge, helping individuals apply mental health and health education strategies in their daily lives in a way that is tailored to their strengths and interest areas. Beyond direct services, we also create accessible content through the Real Life Unplugged podcast, now entering its second season on Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and Audible. We further extend our reach with free webinars, on-demand workshops, and affordable resources so that support is both approachable and widely available. At the heart of all our work is a core belief: no one should have to face their journey alone.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What often breaks bonds between people is the absence of authenticity and presence. When we do not show up nonjudgmentally, when we listen only to respond rather than to truly understand, or when we are distracted—like checking a phone while someone is sharing—it signals that the other person’s story does not matter; that something else is more important. Stigma, bias, and a lack of safe spaces for honest dialogue further erode trust and connection.
What restores bonds is almost the opposite: showing up with openness, humility, and a willingness to learn. It means being an ally, listening with curiosity rather than judgment, and recognizing when we have misspoken—and being willing to both learn and apologize. Bonds grow stronger when we create spaces where people feel safe to show up authentically, share their hardest moments or greatest desires, and know they will be met with compassion and grace. That is when healing, growth, and true connection can occur.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Like anyone else, I have faced fears that at times have held me back—some for only a season, and others that took deeper work to overcome. The fear that impacted me most, both personally and professionally, was the fear of not being enough. I worried I would not be good enough to make Integrated Wellbeing Consulting successful, that I would not make enough of an impact, or that I was not worthy of working alongside the incredible individuals and organizations I serve. At its core, it was the fear of failing by not measuring up.
What helped me move through that fear was a combination of individual effort and the support of others. I worked hard to reframe that internal dialogue and not allow it to dictate my choices or outcomes. I came to recognize that being human means having fears, but it also means having the ability to grow when we face them with care, curiosity, and healthy strategies. That shift has allowed me to not only overcome the fear of not being enough, but to use that journey as a reminder to extend the same compassion and grace to myself that I encourage others to show themselves.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A project I am deeply committed to, no matter how long it takes, is the continued growth and development of our Wellbeing and Lifestyle Coaching services. I believe this work provides a unique and individualized way to stand in the gap—what I often call the “front porch” of growth and healing. Through coaching, we can meet people where they are with creative strategies, provide strengths-based support, and when needed, help connect them to additional mental or physical health care. Coaching is never meant to replace clinical services; instead, it is designed to be part of someone’s broader care team, walking alongside them with compassion and accountability.
On a broader level, I am equally committed to the belief that everyone deserves access to care. Finances, geography, resource availability, culture, or stigma should never be barriers to growth or healing. Services and resources should not be a luxury for a few, but the basic human need that it is which is accessible to all. That commitment drives not only the coaching services we provide, but also the way we design programs, develop resources, show up on the Real Life Unplugged Podcast, and advocate for recovery-friendly, wellbeing-centered communities.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I practice what I teach—though like anyone, that is not always easy. For me, peace often comes from reconnecting with myself through time in nature, listening to music, reading, creating something, spending time with supportive relationships, and creating healthy work-life balance by truly disconnecting from work. I especially love being near water and exploring new places where I can connect with nature, as those moments ground me and restore my energy.
What I have learned over time—and what I often share with clients—is that finding peace and caring for ourselves does not have to be time-consuming or costly. There are so many simple, affordable strategies we can build into daily life that help us show ourselves love and cultivate inner calm. When we take care of ourselves fully and holistically, the shift we experience is powerful—not only for our own wellbeing, but for the way we show up in the world and in our relationships.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.integratedwellbeingconsulting.org
- Instagram: @integratedwellbeing_consulting
- Facebook: @integratedwellbeing1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IntegratedWellbeingConsulting/playlists
- Other: TikTok: @integratedwellbeing
