Hello, I'm Katrin!

Educational Background:

I earned my Bachelor of Arts in American History and Constitutional Law from Marymount University in Arlington, VA, graduating in 2010 with a 3.3 GPA. My studies

centered on the evolution of democracy and equality in the United States, with a particular fascination for Constitutional law, the Civil War era, and the women’s and civil rights movements. My undergraduate thesis explored why women in the American West secured the right to vote decades before the 19th Amendment, a topic that deepened my appreciation for social progress and legal reform.

 

I went on to complete a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, MD, where I graduated with a 3.93 GPA. During my graduate studies, I was inducted into both the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society and the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology for academic excellence. My passion for understanding the human mind flourished through coursework in biological, developmental, and social psychology, where I discovered the profound connections between history, human behavior, and healing.

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My Career:

I am a practicing psychotherapist and researcher specializing in severe mental illnesses, with a particular focus on improving understanding and care for individuals with bipolar disorder. My work bridges clinical practice and scientific inquiry, and I have authored several peer-reviewed publications on topics such as mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, astrocyte involvement in depression, stimulant use in children with ADHD, the controversy surrounding Pediatric Bipolar Disorder, and the impact of stigma and bias on clinicians’ decision-making.

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Each year, I present my research at international conferences, sharing insights that aim to advance mental health treatment—particularly for children and adolescents. I had the privilege of mentoring under Dr. Robert M. Post, MD, a world-renowned neuropsychopharmacologist, whose guidance inspired me to found and direct the non-profit organization, Research and Conversations About Bipolar Disorder, dedicated to education, collaboration, and advocacy in mental health research.

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Tutoring Experience:

I have spent nearly a decade devoted to educating and empowering minds of all ages. Before entering graduate school and becoming a licensed psychotherapist, I worked as a Transitional Age Youth Counselor at a residential psychiatric program, teaching, and mentoring individuals ages 15 to 21. There, I designed and led courses in creative writing, history and current events, psychology, and psychopharmacology, blending academic learning with emotional growth and self-discovery.

 

During graduate school, I collaborated with Penn Foster to develop an online Psychology 101 course for high school students, helping young learners build a strong foundation in psychological science. I also created continuing education programs for psychiatrists, translating complex research into practical, clinically relevant knowledge.

 

Today, I continue to teach in new ways—tutoring graduate students and professionals on how to research, write, and publish their academic work in peer-reviewed journals. For me, education is more than instruction—it’s empowerment, a means to unlock potential and ignite curiosity that lasts a lifetime.