Katie Kirby, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Pronouns (she/her/hers)
Click To Enter: Katie's Online Waiting Room
Staff Counselor, SIUE Counseling Services
- Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Mental Health Concentration Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Psychology; Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis
Welcome to Counseling Services. My name is Katie Kirby and I am so grateful that you are here. I’m excited to get to know you and connect with you.
My work is grounded in social work, as well as relational-cultural theory. Together, these shape my practice to believe in the importance of relationships, while also acknowledging the cultural context and systems that we exist in. We have a biological need to be connected to others, and yet our society often deprives individuals of their full humanity. We live in a society with systemic oppression, where people with different identities are given different amounts of respect and power. This oppression, disempowerment, and disconnection can lead to self-doubt, feelings of unworthiness, and feeling that you have to sacrifice parts of yourself in order to maintain your relationships. It is this sense of isolation and disempowerment that can lead to depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health concerns. I believe that moving toward greater connection with yourself and with others, in an environment of safety and compassion, can help decrease the distress and pain you are currently experiencing. My greatest hope is that throughout our counseling experience, you will feel heard, understood, and supported.
At the heart of conversations about what’s getting in the way of authenticity and connection is culture and how we see the world. You and I, no matter the similarities or differences in our identities, have different lens through which we view the world. We can talk about those differences between us and how we view the world. Throughout our work together, I want to ensure that counseling is grounded in your experience and how you view the world.
Throughout our time together, we will work collaboratively to create a SMART goal for what you hope to get out of counseling. During sessions, we will utilize a few assessments to help us track your progress towards that goal. I believe goals are an important and helpful part of counseling because it ensures that your needs are leading the counseling work. My job is not to tell you the right answers, but rather to help you explore your lived experiences with greater curiosity and compassion so you can find the answers that work for you. We will work together to find the tools to help you stay regulated and connected with yourself and others while navigating distress and building the life you want to live.
Together we will work towards that goal until it is achieved or you feel able to continue working on that goal on your own. Discharge and endings can be difficult, and at the same time, they can be wonderful. You can always return to counseling in the future, be that at SIUE or in the community. I believe we all need time to just be, because to always focus on growing and changing is to deny ourselves the ability to fully enjoy the space we are at currently.
I hope that together we can create what feels like a safe space for you to feel supported. I hope this counseling experience can be a relationship where there is greater permission to embody your authentic self and to deepen relationships with yourself, me, and others.
I’m grateful to be on this journey with you and to grow together in our relationship
