About Me

Catherine Travelstead is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has extensive experience in working with children and adolescents with behavioral health needs inside and outside of the classroom.

Therapeutic Approach

Catherine believes it is crucial to empower the caregiver while working with children to create change within the family unit. She understands how the brain and nervous system influence thoughts, feelings and behaviors and uses this knowledge to tailor therapy to each child. Catherine practices from a holistic, strengths based approach using an attachment lens. Additionally, she utilizes play therapy techniques and sandtray within the therapeutic setting.

Training and Experience

Catherine received her Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) at Fontbonne University and her Masters of Social Work (MSW) at Saint Louis University. As an adjunct professor for Fontbonne University, she created a Crisis Intervention and Trauma Informed curriculum.

Catherine has provided individual, group, and family therapy in intensive outpatient settings, outpatient settings and school settings. This has given her experience with a wide variety of presenting problems, including crisis, trauma, mood disorders and behavioral challenges. Catherine is comfortable working with children with high needs and intense behaviors.

Catherine has completed a year long certification of Bruce Perrys' Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. She is uniquely qualified to assess the impact of trauma on youth functioning and design appropriate intervention plans to meet their needs at home and school. Catherine is trained in Stephen Porges, Safe and Sound Protocol, also known as SSP, and uses this as a way to bring a sense of safety to the nervous system. Additionally, she is working towards certification of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy.

Personal

In her free time, Catherine enjoys reading up on the newest therapeutic topics, going to concerts, listening to music and spending time with her family and friends.