About Kathryn Marcantel, MS

Kathryn is a California native who has lived all over the country and abroad with her military spouse and their three children before settling in Northern Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Psychological Services from Northwestern University and a Master of Science Degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton. She is a Licensed Resident Counselor working under the supervision of Lauran Thomas, LPC and is thrilled to be a part of the KS Services team. 

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​Kathryn has always been interested in helping people thrive. Kathryn began her career working for several years in a therapeutic education middle school and high school with adolescents who were struggling emotionally and behaviorally and unable to maintain in a public-school setting. Well-versed in the transformational role of the relationship between therapist and client, Kathryn has experience working with adolescents ready for change and those who are resistant. While living in Thailand, Kathryn worked with the organization Night Light, teaching English, and​ building healing relationships with women impacted by sex trafficking and exploitation.

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Upon returning to the states, Kathryn began working in Southern California at Mariposa Women and Family Center, counseling individuals and teaching parenting classes. She also worked in the Orange County public school system providing play therapy for elementary age students. In Columbia, Missouri, Kathryn worked at McCambridge Women’s Center, counseling women of all ages fighting for their own recoveries from substance abuse and facing relationship challenges, depression, anxiety, family stress, and trauma. She worked with client’s individually, led therapy groups, and taught psychoeducation classes on recovering from trauma and relapse prevention. Partnering with clients as they make the brave choice to commit to their mental health and a more fulfilling life is one of Kathryn’s greatest joys.

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Outside of therapeutic spaces Kathryn has experience serving as a court appointed special advocate for families involved with the Department of Family Services. She has volunteered with Syrian refugees while living in Germany and Afghan refugees here in Washington D.C. and is committed to serving her community. A Division I college field hockey player at Northwestern University, Kathryn has continued her commitment to youth sports through coaching field hockey and girl’s lacrosse. Actively engaged in a faith community wherever they are living, Kathryn has led parenting groups, taught elementary age Sunday school classes, and facilitated small groups. A military spouse for 20 years, Kathryn has experience living and working in many diverse cultures and communities and credits these growth opportunities as an important part of who she is today. 

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Kathryn’s therapy style is warm, genuine, and direct. She aims to create a judgment-free-zone and believes in meeting people where they are. She uses evidence-based practices and a strengths-based approach to help clients make lasting and meaningful change. She is enthusiastic about creating community inside and outside of therapeutic spaces, and she can often be found gathering a group looking for connection.  Kathryn is available to work with teens and adults. 

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Outside of the therapy office, you might see her running with friends, picnicking with her family, reading at the library, or covered in dirt in her garden.

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“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

James Baldwin, 1962 Essay in the NY Times