I am Catherine McConnell, a caring Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years of experience in providing comprehensive mental health care to clients ranging from children to the elderly. I am licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois, and New York.

My Approach

Empathy is at the heart of my practice, driven by my childhood experiences witnessing my brother's mental health struggles. I was trained in a psychodynamic approach called object relations. That approach helps me understand people's relational patterns and the ways that they are protecting themselves in relationships that may no longer be useful to them. Similarly, it has helped me understand the ways that trauma is re-enacted. I help people learn to identify the patterns of responses they have that may have served them well at some time in their life but may now be causing them pain. I help them identify their priorities, values and motivators so that they can make empowered decisions to change. I incorporate a number of modalities to help me in my work.

Who I Work With

• Children

• Adolescence

• Adults

• Older adults

• Trauma Survivors

• Members of the LGBTQ+ community

• Neurodivergent individuals

• Individuals with chronic illness

Areas of Focus

• Trauma

• Anxiety

• Autism

• Grief

• Abuse

• Parenting concerns

• Life transitions

• Decision-making

• Emotional insight and self-awareness

What to Expect

The single most rewarding aspect of being a therapist is seeing people feel empowered to make new choices in their life. I hope that through our work together, clients will have clarity about barriers to change and feel prepared to have new responses to their challenges. I feel confident about my ability to stay grounded while clients wrestle with very difficult feelings and decisions. I feel comfortable working toward a balance between finding ways to offer support but also not taking over for clients which can get in the way of them finding their own path. I would hope that clients would describe me as patient, curious and open in the presence of their difficult emotions, their stuck places and their various ways of seeing and experiencing the world.

Specialties & Techniques

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

• Motivational Interviewing

• Object Relations Therapy

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Strength-Based Therapy

• Culturally Responsive Therapy

• Person-Centered Therapy

• Family Systems Perspective

• Collaborative Therapy

Education & Professional Background

• PhD. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Master’s degree in Counselor Education From Syracuse University

• Clinical Psychologist, licensed in Wisconsin, Illinois, and New York

My journey began as a high school counselor, and with a strong educational background I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face. I trained psychologists through a non-profit agency for over 20 years before coming to A Healing Place. I also was the clinical director for a foster care program.

As a therapist, my primary goal is to make meaningful contributions in the mental health field, helping individuals on their respective journeys to healing and self-discovery. Some of my accomplishments include co-authoring research articles on clinical consultation, contributing a chapter to a book on family therapy, and receiving recognition from the Council on Accreditation for innovative treatment approaches alongside my colleagues.

A Final Word

Finding balance in life is something I strongly advocate for, and I find great joy in witnessing individuals feel empowered to make new choices. My ability to stay grounded while supporting clients through difficult decisions sets me apart. I am committed to helping my clients define their goals, navigate their fears, and make more conscious decisions about their lives, all while respecting the challenges that come with change. I feel humbled by people's willingness to share their journeys with me and I respect how difficult it is to make change.