Cat Ward

Cat (she/her), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, began her career in the social work field upon receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carleton College in 2011. After working as a youth counselor at a residential treatment facility for adolescent girls she attended the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville and obtained a Master of Science in Social Work in 2015.

During her graduate studies Cat completed social work practicums at a shelter for women and children impacted by intimate partner violence and a non-profit providing therapy services to children and families impacted by trauma. It was during these practicums that Cat realized she wanted to work with children and parents. After graduating Cat began working as a certified social worker (CSW) providing office, school and home-based therapy at a community based mental health agency in Louisville, KY. At this position Cat focused on working with children with attachment issues who had experienced trauma and children with neurodevelopmental disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental delays and Intellectual Developmental Disorders. Cat became certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in 2017. Through her time in community mental health Cat developed a passion for engaging children and families using creative interventions like play, movement, expressive arts and sand tray therapy.

Cat opened a private practice in Louisville in 2018. She obtained a certification in AutPlay Therapy®, a play therapy approach designed to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and their families in 2019. She completed training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 2019 and is working on completing requirements to apply for her international certification in EMDR. In 2021 Cat obtained certification in the Safe and Sound Protocol developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and is able to offer this intervention to clients that are engaged in individual or family therapy with her or as a stand alone intervention.

Cat is dedicated to supporting children and families through difficult times in life. The primary areas of focus throughout her professional development and clinical experience include working with children and families impacted by anxiety, adoption/foster care placement, attachment issues, Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental delays, Intellectual Development Disorders, traumatic experiences (during early childhood or more recently), depression, low self esteem, difficulties related to social communication and engagement, and sensory processing differences.