Katharine Wenocur, DSW, LCSW, RPT-S

Child Trauma & Play Therapy Concentration Coordinator

Katherine Wenocur, LCWS, RPT, CAAPT, IIAAPT

Contact

4201 Henry Avenue
East Falls Campus
Philadelphia, PA 19144

Email Katharine Wenocur

215-951-2943
215-951-2907 fax

Katharine Wenocur, DSW, LCSW, RPT-S

Child Trauma & Play Therapy Concentration Coordinator

Biography

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.

 

Education

DSW, Doctor of Clinical Social Work – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA - 2018
MSW, Master of Social Work - University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA - 2011
BA, Psychology (Concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies) – Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA - 2009

Publications

Peer-Reviewed

  • Radis, B., Wenocur, K., Jin, J., & Keeler, C. (2021). A rainbow for reading: A mixed-methods exploratory study on drag queen reading programs. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. DOI: 10.1080/15401383.2021.1892557
  • Wenocur, K. et al. (2020). PLEASE be with me: Benefits of a peer-led supervison group for early career social work educators. Social Work with Groups, DOI: 10.1080/01609513.2020.1836548
  • Wenocur, K., Cabral, R., & Karlovits, J. (2019). Social work for all species: Dual consideration of social work ethics and the human-animal bond. Perspectives of Social Work, 14(2), 65 80.
  • Wenocur, K., Parkinson-Sidorski, M., & Snyder, S. (2015) Provision of child trauma services in emergency family housing (practice note). Families in Society, 97(3), 191-196.

Books & Book Chapters

  • Jin, J., & Wenocur, K. (2020). I told the dog first: The delicate relationship between marginalized youth and animals. In K. M. Jackson, K. S. Stolley, & L. L. Payne (Eds.), Animals and ourselves: Essays on connections and blurred boundaries (pp. 128-140). McFarland.

Non-Peer-Reviewed

  • Wenocur, K. (2021, July 30). Opinion: Simone Biles sets an important precedent for kids. The Philadelphia Inquirer, A11.
View Scopus Profile

Mentoring

Dr. Wenocur actively promotes the value of mentorship with CTC students and colleagues in the field of counseling. Since 2017, Dr. Wenocur has participated in a monthly peer mentorship group for faculty across disciplines and universities. Throughout her time at Jefferson, she hasmentored an undergraduate student through the University honors program.

Supervision

Dr. Wenocur has taken the following formal educational and clinical courses to be prepared to serve as a clinical supervisor to mental health professionals and trainees in counseling. Dr. Wenocur has also completed requisite continuing education courses to attain the credential of Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), and regularly supervises individuals seeking post-graduate credentialing in play therapy.

Relevant Courses Taken

  • SWRK 900 Supervision - University of Pennsylvania, Spring 2018, Graduate Level Course

Experience

  • CTC 792-3: Internship II in Community and Trauma Counseling - Thomas Jefferson University, Spring 2021, Graduate Level Course
  • CTC 791-7: Internship I in Community and Trauma Counseling - Thomas Jefferson University, Fall 2020, Graduate Level Course

Teaching

Courses Taught

  • Advanced Interventions in Trauma Treatment
  • Child Trauma and Play Therapy
  • Counseling Assessment
  • Foundations: Child Centered Play Therapy
  • Integrative Seminar: Intersectionality and Play Therapy
  • Counseling internship

Research & Scholarship

Areas of Interest: Childhood trauma; Homelessness and trauma; Trans-affirming mental health care; Animal assisted therapy; Human animal bond; family violence

Grants: Nestlé-Purina Foundation, Sponsorship on Human-Animal Bond Studies
$30,000 funded
Project Title: Development and pilot testing of a manualized Animal Assisted Play Therapy ® group for transgender youth

Leadership & Advocacy

Local

  • Member, Outcomes and Assessment Committee, Thomas Jefferson University, 2021- present
  • Volunteer Coach, Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, 2013 – present
  • Member and Low-Fee Supervisor, Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work, 2011- present

National

  • Member, Association for Play Therapy, 2013 – present
  • Member, International Society for Anthrozöology, 2019 – present
  • Member, APA Division 17, Section 13 (Human-Animal Interaction), 2020 – present
  • Blog Contributor, Hopscotch Behavioral Health, 2021 – present
  • Community Ambassador, ChildUSA, 2020 – present

Advising

Dr. Wenocur has been advising 10 to 15 counseling students on average per academic year in the Community and Trauma Counseling program since 2019.

Counseling

Dr. Wenocur earned a master’s degree in social work in 2011 and a doctoral degree in clinical social work in 2018, both from the University of Pennsylvania. She has completed all requirements for the Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) and the Certified Animal Assisted Play Therapy (CAAPT) credentials. Additionally, Dr. Wenocur has full certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) and has completed a yearlong certificate program in Affirmative Therapy for Transgender Communities through Widener University. Dr. Wenocur has over 10 years of experience providing clinical mental health services to individuals and families, with a specialized focus in treating traumatic stress following exposure to violence and abuse, and in supporting the social and emotional development of gender diverse youth.

Board Certification

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – State Board of PA
  • Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) – Association for Play Therapy
  • Certified Animal Assisted Play Therapist (CAAPT) – International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy ® (IIAAPT)

Awards

  • “Steppy” Hero for the Homeless Award, One Step Away Newspaper – 2016
  • American Kennel Club (AKC) John D Spurling Scholarship – 2015
  • Scattergood Foundation Emerging Scholar – 2009
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