Dr. Katie Petersen, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist, yoga teacher, and chronic pain educator dedicated to helping people live fuller, freer lives with less pain. After years of working in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Katie found that traditional approaches often left people feeling defined by their diagnoses and disconnected from their bodies. Her own journey with chronic pain, and her discovery of yoga and mindfulness, transformed the way she understood healing.

Katie blends neuroscience, mindful movement, and a compassionate interpersonal approach to help others reclaim agency in their health. She is the creator of When Pain Stays, an integrative program that weaves together pain neuroscience education, somatic awareness, meditation, and holistic self-care to help participants achieve lasting relief. Drawing on her training as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a 200-hour Pranotthan Yoga School graduate, she creates a space that is both evidence-informed and deeply human.

Katie’s teaching is rooted in the belief that we are more than what hurts, and that each of us carries an innate capacity to adapt, heal, and thrive. Her retreats and workshops invite participants into a process of curiosity, empowerment, and self-compassion — meeting pain with understanding rather than fear, and learning how to live with more ease, resilience, and joy.