Ms. Katie Kilcullen (she/her) is the newest mental health professional in the STARR program and is excited to join the team! She received her Masters in Social Work from Stony Brook University, which she attended after graduating with her BSW from Marist College in New York. Katie is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and is currently receiving clinical supervision and training in order to obtain her clinical licensure by working as a part-time psychotherapist for a group practice. Katie spent the last few years working as a Child Study Team School Social Worker and became invested in working with students with varying disabilities and educational needs. She is passionate about school retention and graduation rates and assuring equal and equitable opportunity and access to education in all communities. Katie is quick to create relationships with staff and students alike and enjoys finding creative ways to provide support to students in need. She is a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and works to ensure that all students feel seen and heard for who they are. Katie is dedicated to creating a safe space for students, not only in her office but throughout the whole school. Katie believes in a strengths-based approach to counseling and utilizes Motivational Interviewing strategies to help students reach their full potential. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) techniques to assist students in building strong coping mechanisms and improving their academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Katie strongly identifies as a Virgo and prioritizes organization and structure in her life. You will never find her without a cup of coffee nearby and she will always get excited about finding new gluten-free food options to try. In her free time, Katie enjoys reading crime novels and cheesy rom-coms, watching documentaries, and going to concerts with her partner.