MS, LMFT
Kathy Gusenkov
It’s important to know who you might be dealing with when shopping for a therapist, so here is a little bit about me: I am a second-generation immigrant, and I have known that I wanted to be a therapist since I was 14 years old. I have been in pursuit of empowered but clinically responsible empathy ever since. While laughing in session with my clients is my favorite way to balance therapeutic work, I’m a big supporter of practical, attainable, and sustainable change. As a result, my style is friendly and directive – I do my absolute best to be sensitive while still making sure that your effort to show up is worthwhile. One of my favorite elements of therapy is witnessing clients unburden their hurt and find their true selves in the midst of the process. I am an LGBTQIA+ affirming clinician – I want every client to feel safe, secure, and comfortable in my office and with me as their provider. If you’d like to talk to me personally, feel free to contact me for a brief consultation, free of charge!
A little bit about me:
Fuller Theological Seminary:
Master Of Science In Marriage And Family Therapy,
Emphasis In Medical Family Therapy
California State University,
East Bay:
Bachelor Of Arts, Psychology
TRAINING
Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT)
Level 2, 2023
Level 1, 2022
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Basic Training, 2021
Restoration Therapy
Level 1, 2020
APPROACHES
- EMDR
- PACT
- RT
- IFS
- Somatic Methods
- Attachment
- Trauma Informed
- Mindfulness
- Expressive Arts
- Sandtray Play
- Structural Family Therapy
I have been in the field of mental health since 2015. Initially, I worked as a Registered Behavior Technician with children and families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder. While in graduate school, I interned in both a private group practice and a PTSD recovery center. During this time, I saw a variety of presenting issues and worked with a diverse population of clients, as well as facilitated group therapy for trauma processing. Because I was educated in an APA accredited theological seminary, I am also equipped to integrate matters of faith or spirituality into sessions in a clinically responsible way. The education and training that I am qualified under has all been through a trauma-informed, relational, and systemic perspective, which means that my clinical approach stretches beyond just your problems and considers themes, patterns, and structures that may have contributed to your pain. All of my clinical interventions and skills are drawn from evidence-based practice. I am an independently licensed Marriage and Family Therapist under the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (LMFT-16187)
EDUCATION
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Latest Blog Posts
There’s a lot of advice out there on how to fight better with your partner. From, “Use I statements,” to “Don’t go to bed angry,” to “Pick your battles,” I’m sure you’ve heard it all. I want to teach you one strategy that you probably haven’t heard from very many places. Keep reading to transform […]
There’s a reason why so many books, movies, and songs are about love relationships. Relationships can satisfy a yearning for security, comfort, peace, protection, and support. How many of us have been explicitly taught how to cultivate this kind of relationship, though? Most of us tend to carry out what we have observed in childhood […]
Trauma has a way of adding complexity to marriage that many couples find incredibly challenging to navigate, especially since marriage even absent of traumatic impact is challenging enough on its own. Trauma, whether from past experiences, recent events, outside the relationship or within it, can significantly impact the quality of marriage for both partners. Let’s […]
Do you find yourself wondering if you and your spouse are compatible? Maybe you or your partner are considering separation or divorce and aren’t sure that you want to stay in the marriage. Many couples – most couples – face these thoughts and questions at one point or another in their relationship. This can result […]
Virtual therapy has risen in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, folks are utilizing telehealth services through secure video conferencing to find support for their mental health needs. Even though this is a convenient and accessible way to get therapy, some folks might still have concerns about whether online therapy is as […]
Did you know that a 79-year-long study through Harvard showed that, more than anything else, close relationships are what keep people happy throughout their lives (Mineo, 2017)? As it turns out, healthy, close relationships are the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. However, with so many things competing for a person’s attention nowadays, it’s not surprising […]
