Creating Connection
The Center for Adoption, Attachment,& Trauma Support
Elise McKamie-Kurtz
Graduate Student Intern

Bringing a warm and inviting presence to the therapy environment, Elise makes a priority to be authentic and understanding. Seeking out therapy is one of the hardest things we can do, and she wants every client to see their strength and bravery in taking that step. Elise has life experience as being a mom of three kids, having a background working in a mental health facility for children, and has consistently worked as a tennis coach throughout her entire career. Elise has a passion for working with children (infancy through teens), families, individuals, and couples with the hope of systematic change in addition to individual progress.
Elise understands how hard it is to have big adjustments in life, whether its unforeseen events, trauma, marriage, parenting, postpartum difficulties, and so on. On top of these adjustments, anxiety, depression, or imbalances in mood can make life seem overwhelming. It is Elise’s desire to walk through these hard times with you and help you to find peace and joy in your own life as you strive to meet your personal goals.
Elise is currently a graduate student in the Master of Science in Family Therapy Program at Friends University in Kansas City. She is under the supervision of a Clinical Faculty Member of Friends University who is a licensed marriage and family therapist.
It is Elise’s desire for anyone who desires therapy to be able to access it, so therefore Elise’s session fee is $25. If needed, please inquire about our ability to pay scale. Elise currently has availability on weekdays, some weeknights and Saturdays.
To schedule with Elise email her directly at creatingconnectionintern@gmail.com
Cassie Cahill
Graduate Student Intern
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Cassie is currently a graduate student in the Master of Family Therapy Program at Friends University in Kansas City and is under supervision from a Friends University Clinical Faculty Member, who is a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Cassie’s ability to have empathy and compassion for others started at a young age. As an oldest child, she began responding to caretaker responsibilities early on. She views things from a systemic lens which is beneficial when working with relational conflict. She believes that the people around us have the ability to create impacts on us as individuals. Thinking systemically allows her to inspect the relationships we have and their possible impacts.
Cassie is interested in assisting couples, families, children, and individuals through whichever hardships they face. She is also interested in working with clients who have experienced a past or present trauma.
Cassie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Quincy University (QU). She also competed for QU as a volleyball player during her time there.Through her previous career, Cassie has spent time working in the non-profit sector, corporate settings, as a volleyball coach, and at a high needs special education school. She has ample experience working with children through her non-profit, special education, and coaching work. Her wide range of experience allows her to be helpful to people of any walk of life.
Cassie is preparing to graduate and has very limited availability for new clients.
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To schedule with Cassie email her directly at msftkc11@hushmail.com