Kathryn Beskrowni
Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, I completed my undergraduate degree in English and Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a focus on written communication and language equity. After some time in corporate, educational, and non-profit realms, I made what felt like a dramatic shift to the Midwest and to the counseling field. It turned out to not be all that dramatic, and through the University of Missouri-St. Louis I earned a dual degree in community mental health and school counseling, focusing on human development. Currently a Nationally Certified Counselor, I am licensed to practice in the states of Missouri (License: 2020022444) and New Hampshire (License: 4671) and hold active membership with the National Philosophical Counseling Association. Additionally, as of February 2025 I am the board secretary for the Missouri Mental Health Counselors Association.
My training includes certification in bibliotherapy techniques, experiential training and consultation through the Existential-Humanistic Institute based in California, and robust relational work including Gottman level 1 certification and training in psychodynamic and somatic approaches. My current learning is focused on integration of presence and cognition, blending Vipassana meditation practices (silence and interoception) with clinical frameworks like Mentalization and Logic-Based Therapy (an offspring to Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy).
Now a South City resident in both home and office, I spend most of my time out of the therapy office exploring the neighborhoods and green spaces of St. Louis with my two dogs (Lou and Penny), reading myths and legends and engaging with members of the American Folklore Society, and actively seeking out the best cup of coffee. This summer I’m excited to expand my love for painting beyond re-doing the colors of my home office walls and take part in a local painting course hosted by Janes and Pang Atelier studio.
caitlin Mansdoerfer
A St. Louis native, I began working towards my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in Fall 2023, after completing my undergraduate degree online through Southern New Hampshire University. I’m now entering the final stages of my degree, having recently completed a 100-hour practicum experience with the Counseling and Social Advocacy Center, and I am excited to be working closely alongside Kathryn to further develop my clinical and therapeutic skills. I’m also thrilled to be embarking on this journey alongside my husband, a fellow UMSL graduate student in the counseling program who is specializing in play therapy and work with kids.
Outside of sessions you can usually find me just about anywhere out and about in St. Louis, getting the absolute most out of the city: grabbing lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, scouring the thrift stores, spending a slow, peaceful day at the aquarium. At home I love to reconnect with myself, my husband, and our two cats, by either baking, playing Dungeons and Dragons, or working on my debut novel.