Kathy Couch, LCSW, FT

Kathy Couch, LCSW, FT, is a nationally recognized specialist and educator dedicated to helping clinicians navigate the complexities of grief, loss, and bereavement. As a certified thanatologist and Fellow in Thanatology (FT) with the Association for Death Education & Counseling (ADEC), her expertise is deeply rooted in both the science and compassionate art of loss-related care.

Kathy’s extensive experience informs her current roles as the owner of Willow Creek Counseling (private practice) and Rewired360 (EMDR training and consulting). She is the founder of EMDR University, where she educates and consults with clinicians on the EMDR career pathway from EMDR certification to EMDR consultation and training, leveraging her status as an EMDR consultant. Her academic foundation includes a master’s degree in social policy and community practice from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, following unique study abroad experience in Ghana, West Africa.

With over a decade of teaching experience at the Boise State University School of Social Work, where she covered research, case management and child welfare studies, Kathy understands the practical needs of clinicians. Her past roles as a manager of a substance abuse program, a grief debrief coordinator for children, and her background in child welfare and in-patient and outpatient hospital settings underscore her ability to apply evidenced-based practices (EBPs) to complex clinical presentations. Kathy is the co-host of the EMDR podcast, Kathy On The Couch, hosting everyday clinical conversations relevant to EMDR practice.

Kathy's commitment to the field is further demonstrated by her research contributions at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, including work on the GEMINI project (genetics and religious communities) and the Life Transitions Study (religiousness and substance abuse recovery). She also actively serves her community through volunteer roles, including training for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a past board member for the Board of Community Guardians for 10 years and is developing a public health response to community crisis in conjunction with Southern Idaho Public Health Crisis Department.

Through her teaching, clinical practice, and advanced credentials, Kathy Couch is a leading authority on using trauma-informed approaches, particularly EMDR, to facilitate profound healing in cases of complicated grief.

Speaker Disclosures
Financial: Kathy Couch is the owner of Rewire360 and has employment relationships with EMDR Restorative Consulting and Because Kids Grieve. She is the Vice Chair of Twin Falls County Board of Community Guardians. Kathy Couch receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Kathy Couch is a member of EMDR International Association.