Katherine Petty, PhD

I am a licensed psychologist in the state of Colorado. I find true joy, inspiration, and hope from connecting with children and their families. I am passionate about mental health, compassion, and empathy. I became interested in helping children and families during my work in schools, where I supported children who were struggling to learn to read. In so doing, I found that I wanted to know more about the psychological aspects of education, ways to nurture mental health, and ways to foster positive family interactions. The wonderful training and experiences I’ve had since my first time in a classroom have allowed me to engage with children and families in schools, homes, clinics, and in the community. Learning about, listening to, and working with people to implement effective strategies is what I love to do, and I look forward to continuing to support families. I have been fortunate to work as a mental health professional in a variety of settings and I am excited to learn about people, be a catalyst for positive changes, and be a dedicated member of each family’s team. I have worked with young people experiencing challenges related to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning and academic struggles, behavioral difficulties, Anxiety and Depression, thoughts of suicide, social and family stress, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I am excited to bring my years of experience working with children, families, and school professionals in both school and clinical settings to this practice. I graduated with my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Washington in 2019 after earning my Educational Specialist degree from the same university in 2016. My thesis explored the role of interest in learning in school engagement for students with ADHD. Prior to my doctoral studies, I received my Master of Education in Language and Literacy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2013. There, I studied literacy and how best to teach reading to students struggling to read. My studies of psychology began with my undergraduate degree, which I received from the University of Chicago in 2010. These educational opportunities were enhanced by practical and hands-on work experiences. Most recently, I worked as a Post-Doctoral intern at Under One Roof Psychological Services, a private practice in Seattle. I am extremely grateful for my Doctoral Intern work at The Kennedy Krieger Institute, a part of Johns Hopkins University, where I worked with families and children with behavioral and mental health concerns. Previously, I worked as a School Psychologist Intern in the Bellevue Public Schools in Seattle. As part of my degree, I also worked as an assessment assistant at Seattle Children’s Hospital in both their Program to Enhance Attention, Regulation and Learning (PEARL) for ADHD and their Early Childhood Clinic. I am very grateful for all the wonderful opportunities I have had to help and support families. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, hiking with my dog and husband, watching house-design shows, playing tennis, doing creative projects, and listening to podcasts and music.