Kathleen Krol, MSS, LCSW, RPT-S

KathleenKrolKathleen Krol is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified EMDR Therapist.

She has over 20 years of experience providing individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in family-play therapy and play integrated EMDR with children. Other specialties include EMDR with all ages, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, life transitions, and interpersonal issues. She provides clinical supervision and consultation for clinicians.

My Education and Background

Kathleen earned her masters’ degree from Bryn Mawr College, with specialization in clinical treatment with individuals and families. As a post-graduate, she completed a three-year clinical training and mentoring program at the Family and Play Therapy Center, in Philadelphia. Kathleen is clinically trained in Contextual Family Therapy (8 years), Trauma Focused therapy, EMDR and Advanced EMDR with children and teens, Play Therapy and Child therapyTrauma Art Narrative TherapyFilial Family Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention.

The direction that led me to my current private practice, began with work at an outpatient partial hospital program, and mental health and substance abuse inpatient treatment through Temple Hospital East/Neumann Medical Center. I have extended experience working with children, adolescents, and families in crisis and at substantial risk through NorthEast Treatment Center and Consortium Mental Health Center. Through my roles as a school-based therapist, outpatient therapist, and Family Based Lead Clinician, I had the opportunity to collaborate and treat individuals and families at all levels of mental, emotional, and behavioral needs in schools, community mental health and in the home. Additionally, I have 12 years’ experience as an EAP specialist.

Family and Child Centered Therapy

Typical therapy sessions begin with a comprehensive developmental and life history to identify and resolve “root” causes of problems to promote long-term healing. Treatment includes family therapy with the parent and child together, individual play therapy or sand tray therapy with the child, and parent coaching and feedback sessions.

Family Therapy

My work is with the family as well as with the child or adolescent. My family focused approach to treatment looks at both the immediate problem and the underlying causes. Through training and experience, I understand how unless the ‘root’ causes of the problem are addressed, symptoms will cease only temporarily, manifest in different behaviors later or develop in another family member. I recognize that problems or behaviors exhibited by one child often impact other members of the family and when family dynamics may play a role in their continuation.

Play Therapy and Sand Tray Therapy

As a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Kathleen establishes an environment that feels safe and supportive for each child. She facilitates healing through play therapy and sand tray, which are the child’s tools for communication and self-expression. The play therapy process allows the child to self-regulate their emotions, increase self-confidence, develop mastery and adaptive skills, and promotes healing and restored health.

I enjoy using play and sand in my work with children and find myself blessed to observe the healing process as it unfolds. I strive to be open to the unique characteristics and resources of each family with whom I work.

Filial Family Therapy

Filial family therapy trains and coaches parents through child-centered play sessions on how to better engage with their children. Parents are then able to continue strengthening their relationship and incorporate more structure at home.

Kathleen Krol's Sand Tray Office

Kathleen Krol’s Sand Tray Office

Trauma Informed Therapy and EMDR

Trauma may come from a single traumatic event, series of events or chronic abuse, each of which may cause deep lasting effects. There can be smaller “T’s” or trauma which although one time or brief, can still cause negative impact on functioning, along with one’s belief and feelings about oneself. I use a trauma informed lens in identifying the underlying root of client’s presenting issues and symptoms. Based on comprehension of the underlying trauma, together a treatment plan is developed with the client; utilizing a trauma informed therapy including EMDR, Trauma Art Narrative Therapy, CBT, or Sand Focusing work.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

When a traumatic event occurs, pieces of the trauma can remain stuck or frozen in the brain and nervous system. Bilateral stimulation techniques help “unlock stuck material” thereby allowing the mind and body to process the traumatic event. EMDR therapy is utilized with significant or big “T” traumas but equally can be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of general anxiety and phobias or working through little “T’s” that can impact daily functioning, assist one in better managing stressors related to job, relationships, and overcoming roadblocks to growth and development. Preparation includes developing resources in containment of difficult emotions and relaxation techniques.

Focusing Sand Tray Therapy

This is a specialized means of using sand tray therapy that allows one to focus specifically on a problem, issue or fear. It might be a problem or place where one feels continuously stuck. This sand tray approach uses mindfulness meditation techniques combined with guided exploration or dialogue leading to deeper insight into the problem, issue or fear. It involves tuning into one’s somatic (body) experience and feeling affect awareness. The experience of Focusing Sand Tray can be profoundly meaningful. Individualized Sand Tray sessions offering self-awareness, clarity and self-growth can be scheduled for one or more sessions.

Trauma Art Narrative Therapy

Trauma Art Narrative Therapy is a structured cognitively oriented technique, which uses art as a modality for healing from trauma. Traumatic memories are often disconnected and fragmented. Trauma art pieces together these memories by guiding one to narrate the traumatic event through a series of sequential drawings. As one draws “snapshots” of the event, integration of the emotional and cognitive components of the brain takes place and promotes healing. Preparation for trauma work always includes establishing safe points before and after the trauma. TANT is effective with minor single incidents to major traumatic events that have had a significant impact. Artistic ability is not necessary and more spontaneous drawing is most effective.

Supervision for Play Therapists and Social Workers

Kathleen Krol, LCSW, RPT-S, provides clinical supervision for social workers towards their LCSW licensure or for play therapists seeking guidance or earning hours towards their Registered Play Therapist credential. Kathleen has over twenty years’ experience in diverse client settings including inpatient and outpatient mental health, home, and school-based settings. Her strong background in Contextual Family Therapy and trauma enriches the case conceptualization process.

In supervising Social Workers and Play Therapists, she practices from a child centered play therapy approach combined with knowledge of developmental stages and their connection to subsequent trauma and attachment issues. Supervisees will have the opportunity to enhance their clinical skills using Sand Tray Therapy and learning concrete strategies when coaching and providing feedback to parents. Supervisees seeking to work with a broad range of clients will benefit from her experience with clients across the age and life spectrum along with individual and family therapy treatment approaches. She supports therapists in varied stages of practice to grow and sustain healthy work/life balance.

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