Dr. Kathy Richardson is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lebanon Valley College. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) from Loyola University Maryland. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Registered Play Therapy-Supervisor (RPT-S). r. Richardson’s research interests include vicarious trauma and resilience, gatekeeping in counselor education, spiritual competency, social class, and access to care. In addition to her work at LVC, she owns Conestoga Counseling & Consulting LLC in Lancaster, where she sees a small caseload of clients of all ages.
Dr. Richardson is actively involved in numerous professional counseling associations. She is the president of the Pennsylvania Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (PASERVIC). She is a lead member of the legislative outreach sub-committee for the Government Relations Committee of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (GRC; PCA) and serves as the membership co-chairperson for the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC). In 2023, Dr. Richardson was chosen as a mentor for the Association for Play Therapy’s inaugural year of its “Play Forward: Mentoring for Play Therapists” program.
Publications
Richardson, K. D. (2024). Where is the line? Seeking the balance between trauma-informed supervision and gatekeeping when addressing possible impairment in counselors-in-training. [Manuscript submitted for publication in Cases on Trauma-Informed Gatekeeping in Counselor Education].
Richardson, K. D., & Walsh, D. D. (2024). Vicarious resilience and its impact on helper wellbeing: Cultivating wellness. In C. Stark, K. B. Rogalla, J. Tapia-Fuselier, & K. Bunch (Eds.), The Professional’s Guide to Trauma-Informed Decision Making. Springer Nature.
Walsh, D. D., Richardson, K. D., & Robertson, N. (manuscript submitted for publication). Social Class in Counseling: A Phenomenological Study of College Students’ Perceptions of and Experiences with Social Class and Mental Health Access.
Fenzel, L.M., & Richardson, K.D. (2022). The stress process among emerging adults: Spirituality, mindfulness, resilience, and self-compassion as predictors of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. The Journal of Adult Development, 29, 1 – 15.
Walsh, D., Richardson, K.D., Tyslova, M., Guri, W., Brown, I.T., & O’Grady, K.A. (2021). The death of an academic department: Sense-losing and sacred loss. The Journal of Catholic Education, 24, 23 – 28.
Richardson, K.D. (2020). Religious and spiritual competency in mental health practitioners: A study of self-efficacy, integration, and training. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.
Fenzel, L.M., & Richardson, K.D. (2019) Supporting continued academic success, resilience, and agency of boys in urban Catholic alternative middle schools. The Journal of Catholic Education, 22, 1-23.
Fenzel, L.M., & Richardson, K.D. (2018). Use of out-of-school time with urban young adolescents: A critical component of successful NativityMiguel schools. The Journal of the International Society for Educational Planning, 25, 25-32.
Professional Presentations
Dr. Kathy Richardson, panel presenter, The Social Justice Work of Supporting Survivors of Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse, 56th Annual Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA) Annual Conference, Harrisburg, Oct. 2024.
Dr. Cindy Vejar, Mia Becker M’24, and Dayna Pinkerton M’24, presentation, Sacred Space for Self-Care and Nourishment: A Contemplative Mind-Body Practice, 56th Annual Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA) Annual Conference, Harrisburg, October 2024.
Walsh, D. D., Richardson, K. D., & Robertson, N. (2024). Increasing Social Class Consciousness of Counselors-in-Training. Presentation for the 2024 Maryland Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (MACES) Spring webinar series.
Richardson, K. D. (2024). Cultivating a Sense of Balance as a First-Generation College Student. Presentation for the Dutchmen First Vocation Series 2 – Balance at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA.
Richardson, K. D. and Hanlon-Pinkerton, D. (2024). Trauma, Embodiment, and Self-Care: Tools for Healing and Restoration. Presentation at the 8th Annual Greater Philadelphia Area Counseling Association (GPACA) Trauma Symposium at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
Richardson, K. D. & DeGeorge, T. (2023). When Students Bully the Gatekeeper: Academic Contrapower Harassment (ACPH) in Graduate-Level Counseling Programs. Presentation at the Pennsylvania Counseling Association’s 55th Annual Conference at the Hilton Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA.
Richardson, K. D., & Walsh, D. D. (2023). Advocating for Trauma-Informed Care. Roundtable at the Pennsylvania Counseling Association’s 55th Annual Conference at the Hilton Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA.
Pennsylvania Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values Committee (PASERVIC, 2023). Inclusion Without Imposition (Part II): Advocating for Religious and Spiritual Competency through a Case Conference Panel. Presentation at the Pennsylvania Counseling Association’s 55th Annual Conference at the Hilton Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA.
Pennsylvania Counseling Association’s Government Relations Committee (2023). PCA Government Relations: Legislative Advocacy for Professional Counseling. Presentation at the Pennsylvania Counseling Association’s 55th Annual Conference at the Hilton Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA.
Richardson, K. D., & Walsh, D. D. (2023). Uncovering the Shadow Side and Addressing Trauma in the Family. Presentation at the Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) 2023 Annual Conference at Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD.
Walsh, D. D., Robertson, N., & Richardson, K. D. (2023). Cultivating a Research Agenda as a Pre-Tenured Faculty Member. Roundtable at the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling Annual Conference at the Doubletree by Hilton, Nashville, TN.
Richardson, K. D., & Walsh, D. D. (2023). Cultivating Resilient Clinicians: Increasing Health and Well-Being in the Midst of a Mental Health Pandemic. Presentation at the 7th Annual Greater Philadelphia Area Counseling Association (GPACA) Trauma Symposium at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
Baker, A., Richardson, K. D., & Pizzigoni, D. (2023). Inclusion Without Imposition: The Ethical Application of Religion and Spirituality in Counseling. Presentation for the 2023 Spring PASERVIC Webinar.
Malott, K., Brumfield, K. A., Mayer, S., Owens, E., Richardson, K. D., & Schermer, T. W. (2022). Advice from the Salty and Seasoned: A Panel Event for CES Doctoral Students. Presentation at the Chi Sigma Iota Conference at the Inn at Villanova, Villanova, PA.
Palencar, M. M., & Richardson, K. D. (2022) The Role of Childhood Sexual Trauma in the Development of Distorted Body Image and/or Disordered Eating. Presentation at the Chi Sigma Iota Conference at the Inn at Villanova, Villanova, PA.
Richardson, K.D., & Palencar, M. M. (2021). The Role of Childhood Sexual Trauma in the Development of Distorted Body Image and/or Disordered Eating. Presentation at Pennsylvania Counseling Association at the Alloy King of Prussia, King of Prussia, PA.
Walsh, D., & Richardson, K.D. (2021). Exploring Social Class in Counseling. Presentation at Pennsylvania Counseling Association at the Alloy King of Prussia, King of Prussia, PA.
Richardson, K.D. (2019). The Aftermath of Trauma: A Clinician’s Guide. Presentation for graduate students and faculty as part of the Community Learning Event at Neumann University. Aston, PA.
Richardson, K.D. (2018). Spiritual Healing: An Introduction to Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy. Presentation for Counselors, Social Workers, and Psychologists as a part of Sun Point Wellness Center’s Continuing Education Series at the Lancaster Arts Hotel. Lancaster, PA.
Fenzel, L.M., & Richardson, K.D. (2018). Benefits of Out-of-School Programming for Urban Adolescents at Catholic NativityMiguel Schools. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association (AERA)’s annual conference. New York, NY.
Guri, W., Richardson, K.D., Tylsova, M., Walsh, D.D., Brown, I.T., & O’Grady, K.A. (2018). What’s Going to Happen to the Tree? The Impact of the Closing of the Pastoral Counseling Department. Poster presented at Loyola University Maryland’s 2018 Emerging Scholars. Baltimore, MD.
Fenzel, L.M., & Richardson, K.D. (2017) Accompanying Underserved Urban Students Along the Path to Higher Education: Graduate Support in NativityMiguel Schools. Paper presented at International Society of Educational Planners’ (ISEP) annual conference. Toronto, Canada.
Fenzel, L.M., & Richardson, K.D. (2017) Use of Out-of-School Time with Urban Young Adolescents: A Critical Component of Successful NativityMiguel Schools. Paper presented at International Society of Educational Planners’ (ISEP) annual conference. Toronto, Canada.
Fenzel, L.M., & Richardson, K.D. (2017). Supporting Continued Academic Success, Resilience, and Agency of Urban Boys in Catholic Alternative Middle Schools. Paper presented at American Educational Research Association’s (AERA) annual conference. San Antonio, TX.
Richardson, K.D., & Richardson, T. (2017). Finding Balance in What Sometimes Feels Like an Unbalanced World. Presentation for Millersville University’s staff as part of the Spring 2017 Maraudership Series. Millersville, PA.
Richardson, K.D., Piedmont, R.L., & Wilkins, T.A. (2017). Play Therapists Addressing Religion and Spirituality: A Study of Understanding and Competence. Poster presentation at Loyola University Maryland’s 2017 Emerging Scholars. Baltimore, MD.
Robertson, T. & Richardson, K.D. (2016). Pastoral Counselor Identity and Self-Care. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) training presented to graduate students in Loyola’s Pastoral Counseling Department. Columbia, MD.
Matter, S., Christy, D., Guri, W., Richardson, K.D. (2016). Resilience Processes in the Context of Extreme Sexual Violence: Lessons Learned from Congolese Rape Survivors. Paper One: Anticipating. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Division 36 Mid-Year Conference. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Richardson, K.D., & Sparks, M. (2016). Incorporating Play into Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Workshop presented for staff development in the CEU series for clinical staff at Pressley Ridge.
Christy, D., Synder, N., Richardson, K.D., O’Grady, K. (2016). Resilience Processes in the Context of Extreme Sexual Violence: Lessons Learned from Congolese Rape Survivors. Paper Two: Improvising. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Division 36 Mid-Year Conference. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Richardson, K.D., & Sparks, M. (2015). Incorporating Play into Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Workshop presented at the Pennsylvania Association of Play Therapy, Annual Conference. Harrisburg, P.A.
Richardson, K.D. (2014). Redefining Defiance. Workshop presented for foster and adoptive caregivers at the Families United Network community agency. Mount Joy, PA.
Other
Dr. Kathy Richardson, cited expert, How to Deal With Family Arguments Over the Holidays, According to Experts, Nov. 27, 2024.
- PSY 601 Professional Standards and Ethics
- PSY 620 Human Growth and Development
- PSY 721 Advanced Counseling Techniques
- PSY 733 Trauma Counseling
- PSY 816 Creative Arts in Counseling
- PSY 870 Clinical Practicum