MEET KATIE, LCSW
Trauma and Grief Therapist in Kansas City
You feel like there is something wrong, possibly some trauma or a traumatic event that has been lingering in your mind. You might know the root to why or maybe the reasoning is hard to place.
Your journey thus far may seem one of overwhelm, self-criticism, loneliness, relationship challenges, or feeling disconnected.
You might have tried working with a trauma therapist before and you felt the need to mask yourself or have not been able to find the right words or labels to what you were feeling.
Processing unsettling feelings and thoughts internally during therapy can be hard, but the environment in which your therapist holds that space shouldn’t feel that way.
And that’s not the way it will feel like here.
Hi, I’m Katie!
I have over 10 years of experience, working with diverse populations and journeys. I specialize in trauma therapy, grief, crisis prevention, and suicidal thoughts
This is built off my own lived and professional experiences, not a textbook. I can relate to knowing what it can feel like to move through life on autopilot, to question your emotions, or to feel stuck in patterns that don’t reflect who you want to be.
I believe healing happens when people feel safe enough to talk honestly about the experiences they often hide from others. I hold a lot of importance in creating a safe environment in my office, hosting a warm and open minded approach.
While I hold my role as a trauma and grief therapist very close, I also enjoy being called “Mom” by both two and four legged babies of the household! I have really embraced my hobbies in my own healing journey - travel, gardening, crochet, or just relaxing with my loved ones.
Working with me as your Trauma Therapist is …
Honest and direct, seeking clear insights to support genuine healing
A personalized approach, built around your needs
Exploring patterns of thoughts and behaviors with compassion, not criticism
Paying attention to what’s happening in real time, both in your thoughts and in your body
Relatable with real humor - it helps navigate the heavy stuff!
Working with me as your Trauma Therapist is not…
Treating you as a diagnosis - you are YOU before you are a label
One sided lectures from me
Forcing positivity or rushing the healing process
About changing you as a person; it's about becoming more fully yourself
Having expectations for you to share things before you are ready
My Values as a Trauma and Grief Therapist
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Authenticity
Therapy works best when the relationship feels genuine. I strive to bring honesty and my authentic self into each session so you can feel comfortable being your authentic self, too.
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Warmth
My goal isn't to "fix" you—it's to help you recognize your strengths, build confidence, and develop the tools to navigate life's challenges long after therapy ends.
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Safety
You're going to bring me the parts of yourself you don't show anyone else. The feelings that don't make sense to you. I aim to create a space where healing can happen without judgment.
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Humor
Sometimes a shared smile or a moment of humor can help us feel more connected, less alone, and remind us that healing isn't only about pain—it's also about rediscovering joy.
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Collaboration
My goal isn't to "fix" you—it's to help you recognize your strengths, build confidence, and develop the tools to navigate life's challenges long after therapy ends.
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Respect
Every person's experiences, values, and story are unique. I honor your perspective and tailor therapy to your individual needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
I believe effective therapy involves more than simply using a particular treatment method. It's about building a trusting therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, respected, and understood. My ongoing professional development allows me to continue expanding my knowledge and skills so I can provide meaningful support to clients navigating trauma, loss, grief, and difficult life experiences.
About My Approach and Training as a Grief and Trauma Therapist
Education and Credentials:
- Masters in Social Work (MSW), Capella University - 2021
- Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) in Missouri - 2023
- Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) in Kansas - 2023
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in Iowa - 2026
Additional Trainings and Certifications in Trauma-Focused Therapy, PTSD treatment, Grief Therapy:
- Formally Trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy - 2026
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive therapy to aid in treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD/C-PTSD) and related conditions. CPT focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, behavior and bodily sensations. It can provide a way to understand why recovery from traumatic events is difficult and how symptoms of PTSD affect daily life. The focus is on identifying how traumatic experiences change thoughts and beliefs, and how thoughts influence current feelings and behaviors.
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certified -2023
An evidence-based program used globally to help individuals recognize warning signs and intervene when someone is at immediate risk of suicide
- Mental Health Conference in Kansas City - May 2026
Trauma Smart → Stress to Safety: Trauma-Informed Tools for Reading and Responding to Brain States (1.5 hr)
Mental Health with Older Adults and Grief/Loss (1.5 hr)
Perimenopause and Mental Health: Clinical Applications, Cultural Context, and Integrated Care (1.5 hr)
Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Negative and Repetitive Thought Patterns (1.5 hr)
The Both/And Brain: Understanding AuDHD (Autism and ADHD) (1.5 hr)
My Approaches During Your Grief and Trauma Therapist
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CBT offers a supportive space to better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while learning practical tools to cope, heal, and create meaningful change. CBT is often practical and goal-oriented. Rather than spending every session focused on the past, we'll also pay attention to what's happening in your life right now and how you can create meaningful change moving forward.
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DBT focuses on four core areas:
Mindfulness
Distress tolerance
Emotion regulation
Interpersonal effectiveness
DBT is an evidence-based approach that combines acceptance and change. We can work toward accepting where you are right now while also building the skills needed to create meaningful change.
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Psychodynamic therapy is a therapeutic approach that explores the connection between your past experiences, unconscious patterns, relationships, emotions, and current life.
Together, we can look at how your past experiences, relationships, emotions, and beliefs may be influencing the way you experience yourself and the world today. The goal isn't to dwell on the past—it's to better understand how your experiences have shaped you so that you have more freedom to make different choices in the present.