Kathryn Fenster

I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC-1533098) and a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC-20501) working towards my Professional Counselor license (LPC) under the supervision of Patricia Dobratz (LMFT-10367). I earned my BA in Anthropology and Mathematics from Grinnell College and my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South Dakota State University. Prior to attending graduate school, I worked as a tutor, data analyst and community organizer. I have contributed as a co author on 2 peer reviewed papers in the counseling field and presented at an international conference: topics of this work include the use of Play Therapy with adults, implicit bias, and treatment of Historical Trauma. I have also engaged in research and published in the fields of Anthropology and Biology. I have worked at RCC since November 2021, while here I’ve developed RCC’s parenting group curriculum. I am EMDR trained, DC 0-5 trained, have extensive training in play therapy, including neurobiology, brain development, and trauma and am working towards the Registered Play Therapist credential. I take a trauma informed approach to counseling, working to understand the impacts of past experiences and increasing your ability to live life as your authentic self. I ground my counseling in the postmodern collection of theories, most notably feminist counseling, using a strengths-based approach to empower clients to understand the impacts of systems: from family of origin to larger communities, and take agency in both the counseling relationship and in their lives. My approach is flexible & client led, incorporating psycho education, experiential interventions, EMDR, parts work, and expressive interventions across the lifespan for a whole brain approach. My professional interests include working with trauma, children and families, neurodivergent individuals, the LGBTQ community, couples, and parents. I provide walk and talk sessions in the community, in-person, and telehealth appointments. In my free time I strive to balance rest & rejuvenation through gardening, reading, backpacking, hiking, snowboarding, and watching netflix with my spouse and dogs.