Meet Kate! Katherine Schwenke (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and adult therapist with Step by Step Counseling. She enjoys working with ages 17 and up and is currently accepting new clients. Kate’s extensive experience has included working with people with disabilities, substance use/addiction, and relationship distress. Her personal experience with infertility and new motherhood have fueled a passion for supporting individuals and families facing similar struggles. Kate’s training in Emotionally Focused Therapy help her when working with couples who struggle with connection and communication. She can help them understand and express themselves more clearly in order to build a secure attachment or bond with their partner. Kate believes “family” can have many different definitions and welcomes various identities into her office. Additionally, Kate has five years of experience in a rehab facility, which is beneficial when working with clients who have addictions or love someone struggling with an addiction.
A few areas of interest are:
- Relationship, Marriage and Family Counseling
- Addictions
- Maternal Mental health/ Parenting Struggles
- Trauma
- Anxiety & Depression
- Life Crisis, looking for meaning and fulfillment
- Identity Exploration
Educational Background
Formal education
- Bachelors in Social Work & Theatre South East Missouri State
- Masters of Education in Counseling from University of Missouri – St. Louis
Certifications & Credentials
Articles or blogposts written by therapist
Fees & Payment Information
Fees:
- Intake: 140/session
- 40-45 minutes: 120/session
- Family/Couples: 140/session
- Sliding scale $95-$150
Insurance:
Please note: Most insurance companies will not cover couples counseling, under the thought process that it’s not medically necessary. In order to cover couples therapy/marriage counseling, IF ITS COVERED, Kate would need to have one identified client. That client would need a diagnosis. The assessment, treatment plan, and notes would need to be focused on the identified client.
- In network with some commercial insurance plans
- In network with some Medicaid plans
Availability and Location
Hours:
- Monday-Friday
Location:
- Saint Charles office
- Telehealth
Get to know Kate!
Outside of the office Kate enjoys spending time with her husband, their two young daughters, and their six-year-old dog who thinks she’s still a puppy. We love hearing about (and seeing pictures) of her traveling adventures. And of course no one would be surprised to see Kate riding her bike through local parks or running a charity 5k. She will tell people she feels most alive and centered while on a run, especially in the fall! Kate likes to say her love language is food and is always interested in getting a restaurant recommendation, trying a new dish, and baking sweet treats. Book recommendations are always welcome, although her To Be Read pile is getting dangerously high. We love that Kate always reminds us to laugh, not take ourselves too seriously, and have fun at work!
Work with Kate!
Kate values diversity and wants clients to have a calm, friendly environment where they feel welcome to explore and express their true selves. Her clients will tell you they appreciate her presence, patience, and capacity for empathy. Couples can expect a warm, somewhat structured setting that does not involve “taking sides.” If you are interested in working with her, please call 636-255-0002 or schedule through our online form.