My education, therapy approach and specialties:

While completing a graduate degree in sports kinesiology in Germany (M.S.), I gained an understanding of the connection between a healthy mind and body. This led me to further my knowledge by pursuing a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.).

After graduating from Hope International University in 2010, I gained experience working in various settings with different populations. Throughout the years I supported families, individuals and children with issues concerning anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, and sports related mental health concerns.

I grew my therapeutic skills through qualified education and practice in: EMDR therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Parent Child Interaction Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

My specialties are trauma related disturbances, sports psychology, anxiety and depression. I am an EMDR trained therapist and honorable member of the Francine Shapiro EMDR library since 2010 plus have been mentioned in the Journal: EMDRIA Newsletter, Vol 15, Issue 2. Furthermore, I have been a clinical member of the EMDR International Association and also have had the chance to work with Dr. Deborah Courtney, in providing EMDR for traumatized children by translating the EMDR Journey Game from English to German. 

Besides my experience with trauma, anxiety and depression, I also have vast insight in the psychological demands that are put on athletes in their sports. I have been a high performance athlete since the age of 10, with experience in playing for the youth volleyball national team of Germany, college as well as professional indoor and beach volleyball competitions nationally and internationally. My early introduction to sports including the accompanied psychological struggles caused me to write my M.S. thesis in a sports psychology related subject.

Additionally, in 2015, I started to counsel and support individuals in early recovery from substance abuse related problems and am currently clinical director of a local dual diagnosis program.

I am passionate about people receiving good therapy. In order to further that, I am teaching students about counseling at Hope International University. I am in the process of becoming an EMDR certified therapist plus continue to educate myself on the newest developments in the field.

Kathrin Winkler, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (Lic # 84283)