When It Is Needed Counseling LLC

Are you experiencing feelings of overwhelm, stress, anxiety, or depression?

Do you feel lost, disconnected, unmotivated, or resistant to change?

Have you experienced trauma that makes you fearful, worried, or untrusting?

Are you noticing how trauma, anxiety, or depression impact your relationship with self or others?

Is it difficult to cope well with any of the concerns you have?

Are you searching for help you with self-acceptance, overall well-being, or finding purpose?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, let’s work together to move you from surviving to thriving! 

Counseling provides a safe/brave space to change self-defeating patterns and behaviors. In a validating and supportive environment, you (or your child) will engage in self-exploration and discover ways to 1) improve mood and relationships, 2) minimize the impact of mental health issues, trauma, overwhelm, and stress, and 3) cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and others.

I am committed to walking alongside you, your child, or your family on this journey to improved overall well-being. In a culturally responsive, trauma-informed space, clients will learn to a) utilize healthy coping skills, b) communicate more effectively, c) manage emotions, d) change patterns of self-defeating behavior, and e) foster encouragement to strengthen self-acceptance, motivation, purpose, and hope. 

Therapeutic Relationships can be beneficial for anyone searching for purpose, self-acceptance, overall well-being, or stability— particularly when it is too difficult to navigate life. Therapy can be a great way to work through any trauma you have experienced or everyday issues at work, school, or home. You can also focus your attention on grief, change, growth, relationships, lack of motivation, feeling miserable, distressed, worried, or fearful in therapy.

As an experienced mental health counselor, play therapist, school counselor, and counselor educator, I recognize the significance of having knowledge about and being skilled in working with all types of clients entering counseling with a variety of concerns. My counseling approach centers the client and the modalities I utilize are trauma-informed, integrative, and culturally responsive. 

Play therapy interventions are used with youth displaying a variety of problems. I have also found play therapy or sandtray therapy to be helpful for adult clients willing to lean into the process. In fact, play therapy can be especially beneficial for those who are attempting to heal childhood wounds.

All clients can anticipate that I will take into consideration a variety of traumas (historical, intergenerational, racial, complex, etc.), ecological systems (family, work, school, media, legislature, etc.), and intersecting identities (gender, affectional orientation, race/ethnicity, disability, etc.) to understand concerns brought to counseling. 

With several years of experience working with 2SLGBQPA+, Intersex, & Trans/Nonbinary Folx of all ages, I recognize the concerns brought into counseling by members of this community are related to various circumstances and barriers created by systems. Additionally, I facilitate a supportive therapeutic environment for caregivers of 2SLGBTQPIA+ Folx looking to gain education, or be more affirming & supportive of someone close to them who has come out. I am available to help process any “stuff” independently around their loved one’s disclosure or transition.

You are the expert of you, your child, and your treatment, so collaboratively we will begin to extinguish any variety of felt angsts through talk, sandtray, expressive arts, or play therapy. Treatment plans are designed to tackle uncertainty, reactions, and chaos with enthusiasm, education, and enhanced healthy coping skills. I want clients to be living their best lives. 

I am honored you took time to review my website and hope to be part of your journey if you choose. Please contact me if you have any questions, would like to consult, or are ready to make an appointment.

***Virtual or In Person (Olivette and Downtown Office) appointments available***

Specialty Areas

My heart is BURSTING!

I am grateful you are considering me to work with your child and understand finding a mental health provider you trust for your child is difficult. As a parent, I acknowledge the thoughts and emotions you might be experiencing about your child needing counseling. As a counselor, I will do my best to meet you where you are as I work with your youth.

I  am a true believer of the “Power of Play.” You can view this brief video offered by the Association for Play Therapy to maybe help you understand better.

Below is information that might help you decide if I am a good fit for you and your child:

Frequency

“Consistency creates credibility.” It is imporatnt for children to experience consistency, so please anticipate that I might want to meet with children and adolescents weekly as we build our therapeutic relationship. This will be adjusted accordingly.

First Session

I prefer to meet with parents or guardians for the 1st session to discuss the youth and concerns you have. This is also a time that I will gather background information and begin to conceptualize your child’s treatment plan. The 2nd appointment is when I will begin meeting with your child.

There are a few reasons this process is particularly important.

1. Your child does not need to be included in our conversation about what is concerning you. Some kids think they are coming to counseling because they are “being bad” and to begin our therapeutic relationship like this is unhelpful. I do not see people as being “bad or good”, rather I see behavior as a means of communication. It can be problematic for children to hear trusted adults tell me about all the problems or concerns they have with their child; this information is hard for kids to take in and they can begin to internalize or think they are a “bad kid.” Additionally, coming to counseling is not punishment, nor should it be used as such.
2. Since I will be working with your child in a therapeutic manner, I want your child’s first experience with me to be as pleasant as possible; all of the focus will be on them.
3. While I recognize the significance of working with parent and guardians of youth, if I am counseling your child individually, they are my client and I want them to know that they matter to me.
4. There might be times I offer resources to you. This is meant to be supportive to you.

Future Sessions Please anticipate that there will be times I will want to meet with parents/guardians individually for a session to assess progress; discuss any new concerns parents/guardians or other caregivers are observing; to share what I am seeing in counseling; or offer parenting skills.

More information for parents/caregivers about play therapy can be found here.

Katie is now offering EMDR to clients who are good candidates for this type of treatment. 

For more information on EMDR please see the following link https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/

• Years in Practice: 10 Years
• License:
  • Missouri 2013033673

Schooling:

• PhD Counselor Education University of New Mexico (2021)
• Master’s of Mental Health Counseling Missouri State University (2013)

Licensed supervisor in MO.

Additional Credentials

• Registered Play Therapist™
• EMDR Trained
• Certificate: AutoPlay®
  • Certificate Date: 2015

My Scholarship, Research, and Professional Presentations are provided below if you are interested in reviewing my professional scope of practice

I love sweets, staying active, yoga, nature, baseball, and family. As a lifelong learner, I aim to become a better human all the time— working to remain humble and curious.

I enjoy volunteering my time to work with and support 2SLGBQQIAP+ and Trans youth and families. In the work I do, I am truly honored to share space with anyone who feels comfortable disclosing their challenges, concerns, deepest darkest secrets, or narratives to me. 

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my partner doing things outdoor; traveling; lounging around watching “Nailed it” episodes; or witnessing our children manifest their dreams. My personal time is also committed to our 90lb pitty, Bacon, who manages to both frustrate me and win my heart each day. 

Part-time: I am located in St. Louis County: Serving Olivette, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Clayton, Ladue, Brentwood, University City, Maryland Heights, Overland

9666 Olive BLVD Suite 205 Olivette, MO 63132

Part-time I am located in St. Louis City:

913 S 13th St, St. Louis, MO 63103

• Session Fee:
  
  • $150/45 minute session
  • Can’t afford my fee? Let’s chat about a sliding scale option.
• Partner/Family Session Fee:
  • $200/60 minute session

15. Brammer, M. K., Suri, T., & Sands, H. C. (Under Review, 2023). Co-supervision model. In B. Owenby & K. Owenby’s (Eds) Counseling Encyclopedia.

14. Suri, T., Brammer, M. K., & Sands, H. C. (In progress) (Eds). Sticky Situations: A Collection of Tales on Counseling the Counselor.

13. Brammer, M. K. & Goodrich, K. M. (Under Review, 2023). Trans-cending Parenthood: Lived Experiences of Parents Raising Transgender and Gender Expansive Children. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.

12. Brammer, M. K., Stark, C., Suri, T., & Brown, E. (2023). Childhood suicide: A call to action for play therapists. International Journal of Play Therapy, 32(4), 243–257. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000202

11. Luke, M., Goodrich, K. M., Brammer, M. K. (2022). LGBTQI+ Responsive School Counseling?: An Exploration of Exemplary School Counselor Educators’ Curricular Integration. Counselor Education and Supervision, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12240

10. Suri, T., Woolson, L., Trott, A., Apodaca, M., Brammer, M. K., Daniel, D. K., Lacen, D., & Chávez, T. A. (2021). Constructivism in Action: A Dynamic Group Process in Defining and Applying Principles of Social Justice. Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc030301

9. Goodrich, K. M. & Brammer, M. K. (2021). Cass’ Homosexual Identity Formation: A Critical Analysis. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 4(49). https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12228

8. Brammer, M. K. & Goodrich, K. M. (2021). Counselling Students’ Experience of an Online Sexuality Course. Sex Education, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2021.1941841

7. Brammer, M. K. & Goodrich, K. M. (2021). Appropriateness of CBE in Counselor Education. The Social Science Journal,1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/03623319.2021.1883380

6. Lardier Jr., D.T., Opara, I., Brammer, M. K., Pinto, S.A., Garcia-Reid, P., & Reid, R.J. (2021). Psychological Sense of Community, Community Civic Participation, and Ethnic Identity on Social Justice Orientation and Psychological Empowerment Between LGBQ and Non-LGBQ Youth of Color. Journal of LGBT Youth, 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/19361653.2020.1860858

5. Stark, C., Brammer, M. K., Crofts, G. (2020). The Mind Body Transformation Model (MBTM): An Integrative Clinical Approach to Trauma Treatment with Children. Journal of Counselor Practice, 11(2), 66-92.https://doi.org/10.22229/tmb1122020

4. Lardier Jr., D.T., Pinto, S.A., Brammer, M. K., Garcia-Reid, P., & Reid, R.J. (2020). The Relationship Between Queer Identity, Social Connection, School Bullying, and Suicidal Ideations Among Youth of Color. Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling, 14(2), 74-99.

3. Stark, C., Goodrich, K. M., Crofts, G., & Brammer, M. K. (2020). The Influence on Public Knowledge of Exposure to Mental Health Professions. Journal of Professional Counseling: Practice, Theory and Research, 47(1), 3-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2020.1753623

2. Goodrich, K. M. & Brammer, M. K. (2019). D’Augelli’s Model of LGB Identity Development: A Critical Analysis. Journal of LGBT issues in Counseling, 13(2), 152-171. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2019.1597820

1. Goodrich, K. M., Trahan, Jr., D. P., & Brammer, M. K. (2019). Family Dynamics following Disclosure as LGB: A Narratology. The Family Journal 27(2), 122-132. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480719832516 In 

SAIGE Presentations
Brammer, M.K. & Stark, C.
Affirming Practices and Advocacy Strategies to Support Transgender and Nonbinary Clients
Anticipated November 2023

Expressive Arts Summit
Brammer, M.K.
Culturally Responsive Play Therapy with 2SLGBTGEQIAP+ Youth and Families
Anticipated October 2023

Missouri Association for Play Therapy
Brammer, M.K.
Affirming Play Therapy with LGBTGEQIAP+ Youth and Families in Clinical Practice and School Counseling
August 2023

University of Missouri, St. Louis Play Therapy Conference
Brammer, M.K. & Brown, E.
Screening and Assessing for Child Suicide in Play Therapy 
July 2023

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Office of Continuing Education
Suri, T. & Brammer, M.K.
Working in Tandem: A Co-Supervision Model
May 2023

Southwestern College
Brammer, M.K.
Ethical Considerations for Counseling Suicidal Children: Screening, Assessment, and Safety Planning
April 2023

University of New Mexico Chi Sigma Iota Conference
Brammer, M.K. & Stark, C.
Keynote: Counseling Members of the Transgender and Gender-Expansive Community: Providing Culturally Responsive Care
April 2023

Touro College: Presentation for Counseling Program
Brammer, M. K.
Introduction to Sandtray and Play Therapy
March 2023

Motivational Interviewing Training and Consulting
Stark, C. & Brammer, M.K.
T/GE 102: Culturally Responsive Interventions for Gender-Expansive Youth
March 2023

Southwestern College
Latimer, K. & Brammer, M.K.
Ethical Application of Relational-Cultural Theory in Counselor Education
December 2022

Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Regional Conference
Stark, C. & Brammer, M.K.
Counseling Transgender and Gender-Expansive Folx: Providing Culturally Responsive Care
October 2022

Association for Play Therapy International Conference
Brown, E. & Brammer, M.K.
Culturally Responsive Play Therapy to Effectively Work with Children who are Suicidal
October 2022

Albuquerque Public Schools
Brammer, M.K.
Professional Orientation and Ethical Considerations in 21st Century School Counseling Culture
September 2022

University of Missouri, St. Louis Play Therapy Conference
Brammer, M.K.
Affirming Play Therapy Strategies for LGBTQIA+ Youth
July 2022

New Earth Institute at Southwestern College
Brammer, M.K.
Prevalent Behavioral Disorders in Children and Adolescents
April 2022

Motivational Interviewing Training and Consulting
Stark, C. & Brammer, M.K.
T/GE 102: Culturally Responsive Interventions for Gender-Expansive Youth
March 2022

New Mexico Public Education Department
Brammer, M.K.
Meaning of Behaviors to Develop Culturally Responsive Classroom Management Skills and School Counseling Curriculum
March 2022

New Mexico Public Education Department
Brammer, M.K.
Professional Orientation and Ethical Considerations in 21st Century School Counseling Culture
March 2022

Creve Coeur Counseling Associates
Brammer, M. K.
LGBTQIA+ Concerns in Counseling
December 2021

Touro College: Presentation for Counseling Program
Brammer, M. K.
Introduction to Sandtray and Play Therapy
November 2021

University of New Mexico
CSI Conference
Brammer, M. K.
Lived Experiences of Parents with Transgender and Gender Expansive Children
April 2021

Palo Alto University
Counselor Education Distance Learning Conference
Stark, C., Brammer, M. K., Alamillo, A.
Bridging the Distance: Culturally Responsive Sandtray with Counselors-in-Training & Supervisees in the Virtual World
February 2021

Touro College
Virtual Presentation for Counseling Program
Brammer, M. K.
Using Play in Therapy with Children
November 2020

Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Virtual Regional Conference
Brammer, M. K.
Lived Experiences: Caregivers of Transgender and Gender Expansive Children
Brammer, M. K. & Goodrich, K. M.
An Exploration of Students Experience in a Human Sexuality Course
October 2020

Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Conference
Henry, M. & Brammer, M. K.
Counselor Dispositions: More Than Just Best Practices, Exploring Empirical Research
October 2019

New Mexico Counseling Association Conference
Brammer, M. K. & Suri, T.
Panel: Impacting the Lives of Transgender and Gender Non-binary Youth through Available Resources, Peer Support Groups, and Play
March 2019

The Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education Research Showcase at University of New Mexico
Suri. T., Woodford, J., Brammer, M. K., & Keim, J. K.
Counseling the Counselor
Poster Presentation March 2019

2019 Hawaii International Conference on Education
Keim, J. K., Brammer, M. K., Suri, T., & Woodford, J.
On Campus Training Clinic: Do’s and Don’ts
Poster Presentation January 2019

New Mexico Counseling Association
Conference
Brammer, M. K. & Palacios, A.
The Drama of the New Mexican Youth: Overcoming Adversity through Play Therapy and Personal Power
March 2018

The Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education Research Showcase at University of New Mexico
Brammer, M. K., Suri, T., & Keim, J.
Grief Group Therapy Model
March 2018

New Mexico Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues in Counseling
Conference
Stark, C. & Brammer, M. K.
First-line Advocacy: Affecting Social Change for Transgender Youth through the Counseling Relationship
July 2017

Missouri Association for Play Therapy
Brammer, M. K. & Thomas, L.
Benefits of Play Therapy for LGBTQ+ Youth and Families
January 2016

Are you interested in obtaining Counseling Supervision for Missouri? I recognize the significance of a good supervision experience and would love to support your journey! 

I have a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and several years of experience supervising future licensed counselors. 

The following information is to offered as a way to help you see if I might be a good fit for you and your supervision needs.

Please be aware that weekly supervision is required by the state of Missouri

Cost:

Individual: 10% of weekly earnings, but no more than $125 weekly

Group: If I am supervising more than 1 supervisee, I will offer group supervision one time per month. Supervisees will be charged $50 each for group supervision

Supervision Includes:

• Weekly: 1-hour supervision  
• As needed: Consultation, Support, and Emergency situations (I expect to be informed of any emergency immediately)
• Since Missouri requires supervisors review and sign all reports, case notes, etc., supervisees can anticipate that I will spend time engaging in this process— offering feedback as needed
• Processing client fees for ACH
• Private practice guidance
• Feedback: Formal and Informal Evaluations
• Identifying resources to support supervisees and their clients
• Any other administrative or clinical supervision necessary

I acknowledge the importance of agency and freedom in learning how to work with and respond to client concerns, challenges, and crisis’. However, since supervisees are working under my licensure, there will be times when I expect any directives I give to be followed exactly as I have stated. My aim in making a request as such is to ensure you are working effectively—protecting your clients and yourself. Ultimately, my job is to keep clients safe and ensure counselors/supervisees are adhering to the highest professional ethical standards.

If interested in obtaining supervision with me, please contact me for more information