Dr. Katharine Wenocur is a graduate of both the master’s and doctoral programs in clinical social work at the University of Pennsylvania, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bryn Mawr College. Her clinical career has largely focused on supporting survivors of family and community violence; she has worked as a protective services investigator, a domestic violence counselor, and an in-house shelter therapist. She currently works in private practice, providing play therapy to children and young families impacted by trauma, loss, and other life challenges. She is a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and holds national certifications in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI). She is also a Certified Animal Assisted Play Therapist (CAAPT) and involves two IIAAPT-approved play therapy dogs, Winston and Tally, in her work.
Her scholarly interests include inquiry into the
lives of children who have experienced trauma and marginalization, and
the healing potential of play, including interspecies play. Her
dissertation research focused on the experiences of children with
histories of homelessness and trauma in an Animal Assisted Play Therapy ®
intervention. She plans to continue research on implementation of AAPT
and play therapy with marginalized populations including
transgender/gender non-confirming children and adolescents, and families
impacted by mass incarceration.