Katherine (“Katie”) Atkins, is an assistant professor at The Family Institute at Northwestern. She is an advocate for increased research, training, and implementation of military culture in counselor education as she is passionate about improving mental health among military populations. Additionally, Dr. Atkins focuses her research on cultural immersions, transcultural counseling, and grief, loss, and bereavement.

Dr. Atkins is a licensed counselor and approved clinical supervisor and still holds her professional educator license in school counseling. She earned a PhD in counselor education and supervision and a master’s degree in counseling – specializing in both clinical mental health and school counseling. Dr. Atkins has worked in various settings helping children, adolescents, and adults.

Dr. Atkins is the recipient of the 2016 School Counselor Educator of the Year Award from the Illinois School Counseling Association and the 2015 Outstanding Women Student Award from Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Atkins has advanced training in Military Culture, Grief, Loss, and Bereavement, Gottman Couples Therapy, Trauma and Emotional Focused Therapy with Couples, Neuro-Emotional Techniques, Eating Disorders, and the Enneagram.

Atkins, K. M., & Lorelle, S. (2022). Cultural Humility: Lessons Learned through a Counseling Cultural Immersion. The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision.

Lorelle, S., Atkins, K. M., & Michel, R. E. (2021). Counselor Preparation and Training: Cultivating Cultural Immersion Opportunities. The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 14(1).

Shaler, L., Goss-Reaves, L., Boatner, J., Johnson, S., & Atkins, K. (2020). Experiences of College Sophomores’ Utilization of Counseling Services at a Faith Based University. The Qualitative Report, 25(11), 3778-3793.

Atkins, K. M., & Standefer, S. R. (2021). Social Media and Technology in Homeschool. In Teufel-Prida (Ed.). Homeschooling and Mental Health. Cognella, Inc.

Standefer, S. R., & Atkins, K. M. (2021). Bullying and Homeschool. In Teufel-Prida (Ed.). Homeschooling and Mental Health. Cognella, Inc.

Atkins, K. M. (in press). Military Sexual Trauma. In Abdullah, J., & Dermer, S. D. (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice, and Advocacy. Sage, Inc.

Atkins, K. M. (in press). Military Culture. In Abdullah, J., & Dermer, S. D. (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice, and Advocacy. Sage, Inc.

Kagen, E., & Atkins, K. M. (2021). The Art of Survival: An Arts-Integrated Support Group for Female Survivors of Sexual Assault on College Campuses. In Killam, W., & Degges-White, S. (Eds.). Group Development and Group Leadership in Student Affairs. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield.
*Eve Kagen was a master’s student in the Counseling@Northwestern program

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