About Kathleen

Kathy and her husband of 30+ years moved to the Grand Rapids Area in 2008 after living in the Chicago land area all of their lives. They raised two children who are now adults and out of the home. They love the Grand Rapids area and plan to spend many happy years here.

Before coming to Michigan, Kathy was a counselor for many years in a community agency in a Chicago Suburb and worked with clients of all ages, races and religion. She is now working in the Grand Rapids area with Centennial Park Counseling .

Specialties

Women's Issues: Depression, abuse, multiple personalities, self-esteem, anxiety, post-traumatic stress.
Individuals: Toddlers through Seniors of either gender.
Couples: All couple issues including pre-marital, marital and divorce counseling.
Families: All family issues including blended families and parent education.
Children and Teens: Play and talk therapy concerning a variety of issues around school and family life.

Her specialties encompass working with women's issues relating to depression, abuse, multiple personalities, self-esteem, grief, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and family issues. Trained in couple and family counseling, she has worked with many couples and families with reference to restoring relationships, parenting issues, blended families, separation and divorce.

As a certified teacher, Kathy has counseled with many children and teenagers concerning grades, social phobia, interpersonal relationships, behavior problems, eating disorders, etc. Young children require a different approach to counseling. As a result, Play Therapy is used in sessions. Play Therapy sessions "look" different than adult counseling. We must remember that "play" is "work" to children and gives them an appropriate means by which to work out their issues. Counseling children and teens most always includes working with the family system to better integrate changes in behavior and thinking. As a result, parental involvement is a necessary part of counseling with children. Kathy works to create a compassionate, supportive environment with God as the center.

Education

Graduate of Eastern IL University with a BS in Psychology including teacher certification for grades six through twelve.
Early Childhood Education -- Prairie State College (14 additional hours specifically early childhood.)
Masters in Counseling from Governors State University with an emphasis on couple and family counseling.
National Certification through the National Board of Certified Counselors
State Licensed in Illinois and Michigan