Katherine Kneupper
MSW, LCSW
Therapy is a unique road map for everyone and I am always humbled to be on the journey with each remarkable young person.
I am passionate about supporting children, teens, and young adults as they change and grow. I seek to provide a therapeutic space where youth can develop a robust sense of self through knowing and understanding their inner world.
I come from a line of social workers and therapists. I grew up listening to my grandmother counsel young women late at night on the phone. I have always been drawn to what is below the surface for people and wanted to understand the rich and complex world of emotions. It is a true privilege to listen with clients to what their emotions and behaviors are trying to say. I find together, with another, it is easier to hear.
Outside of counseling, reading and writing are favorite pastimes. Being near or in water is my favorite location. My current favorite delight is watching young people play sports or act/sing/dance on stage. I am greatly informed by mindfulness practices and all that encourages us to slow down.
I assist children and young adults who are experiencing a wide variety of concerns, including: anxiety, depression, ADHD, queer gender and sexuality, parenting, school difficulties, life transitions.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Who I Work With: YOUNG Adults (up to 23), children 2+, adolescents, Teens
While I work with a wide range of people and presenting problems, some of my most common topics of focus include:
Anxiety
Depression
ADHD
Queer Gender and Sexuality
Parenting
School Difficulties
Life Transitions
Counseling Technique
Depending on the age of your youth different therapy approaches are most appropriate. Play therapy for younger children is an effective therapeutic modality. Through both guided activities and self-directed pursuit the child is free to explore and express themselves. This is the window to their inner worlds and how they will come to know and understand their experiences, process losses, cope with transitions, and gain social skills. I am an attuned companion and guide who holds space for the process to unfold, teaches self regulation skills, verbalizes the emotions they may not have language for, and acts as translator for parents and caregivers.
Talk and art therapy are utilized with adolescents and young adults. Simply put, trust and authenticity are the keys to establishing an effective therapeutic relationship. I find in listening deeply there are threads through their stories that open up the true vulnerabilities and unspoken needs. I seek to guide them in self-reflection and self-empowerment. The therapy room is their space in which to be themselves and be seen by an attuned mentor.
All parents deserve support and guidance amidst the uncertainties, challenges, and joys of raising children. I offer caregivers the opportunity to pause, reflect, and consult about their children's patterns of behavior. Discussion with an experienced therapist affords both concrete tools as well as insights that open doors to greater connection with your child or adolescent. I am committed to providing families with the latest evidence based practices, resources, and community support. Parents too must feel deeply supported, informed, and connected in order to care for their children.
Professional Background
For the past twenty years I have worked with young people and families in a range of therapeutic settings. My work with pregnant women and experience as a clinical supervisor for an early intervention program serving young children solidified my understanding of the significance of attachment in parent child relationships. Indeed in all our relationships, “Intimate attachments are the hub of which our lives revolve“ -Bowlby.
For ten years I worked as an instructor in the Graduate School of Social Work where my passion for working and building community with young adults grew strong roots. It was in this role I discovered my love of teaching and educating about mental health. I advocate for greater and more in depth education of mental health disorders in our schools and communities.
The framework of social justice is also central to my understanding of what a family, parent, or child may be confronting. Naming and examining systems of oppression (sexism, classism, racism, heterosexism, and ableism) is essential in supporting greater connection and compassion within our personal and communal lives. As a therapist I am committed to self awareness of my own identity and how power and privilege affects my connections with others.
Education Credentials
I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico with a minor in Women's Studies. I attended Portland State University for my graduate degree in social work.