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A woman with long brown hair wearing glasses and a cream sweater, smiling at the camera, with a circular graphic around her that reads "SHE / HER, THEY."

Katie (Ekaterina) Czarnik, LMSW, RPT

Clinical Social Worker & Registered Play Therapist

‍ ‍Ann Arbor & Online ‍ ‍

*For a kid-friendly introduction that may be more accessible to young readers, see below!

Hello! I’m Katie! I discovered my passion for working with children, teens, and families at a young age. I always knew I would work with kids. I became extremely passionate about the neurodivergent community after learning more about the way my own brain works and finding the importance of this community for myself. It helped me recognize the importance of creating affirming spaces where all minds feel safe, seen, and celebrated. From this, my passion for mental health and advocacy began. 

I’m a fully licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist at the Mala Child & Family Institute’s Ann Arbor clinic, and I specialize in working with neurodivergent children, teens, and families. 

I specialize in supporting clients with Autism, ADHD, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and other forms of neurodivergence, as well as those who identify within the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I’m especially passionate about helping young people and families find environments where they can thrive, socially, emotionally, and creatively. Whether we’re exploring coping skills, emotional regulation, burnout, or self-acceptance, my work is rooted in honoring each person’s unique experience.

My Approach to therapy

I aim to co-create a fun, supportive, and flexible environment where clients feel empowered and safe. My therapeutic style is collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed, and strengths-based, and person-centered approach. I draw from a variety of evidence-based approaches, including:

  • Play Therapy

  • Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)

  • Sand Tray

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Somatic and sensory-informed strategies

I often incorporate art, movement, music, and sensory play into sessions to support emotional expression, regulation, and connection. Every session is tailored to you or your child’s needs, interests, and goals. I also collaborate with caregivers, providing coaching and insight to support growth both in and outside of therapy.

Outside the Office 

When I’m not at the clinic, I love spending time with my four cats, hanging out with friends and family, being outdoors, learning new facts (about literally anything!), creating cosplay costumes, and diving into all things artsy. If you see me, ask me for a dinosaur fact, I'm always ready with one!

Kid-Friendly 💛🦕

Hi there! I’m Katie! I love dinosaurs, rainbows, Bluey, and anything yellow. I’m so excited to meet you and hear all about what makes you you! Ask me for a fun fact, I love sharing cool stuff.

When I found out more about how my own brain works, it helped me understand why some things felt hard and what tools could help. What I love about Neurodiversity is that “neuro” means brain, and “diversity” means differences. What that means is that everyone’s brain is cool and unique! In our time together, I’ll help you find what works best for your brain.

As your therapist, I’ll help you find ways to like the way your brain works and learn new ways to make the world around you a better fit for you! Whether that’s games, art, talking, or creating your own space, together we can enjoy fun times and get through hard things. 

When you come to my office in Ann Arbor, you’ll see lots of toys, art materials, and comfy spaces. You get to decide how we set up the room, what lights we use, where we sit, and what we do. This is your space!

I can’t wait to meet you. If you have any other questions or want a dinosaur fact, you can ask me anytime!

Work with Katie

    • Masters in Social Work, with a focus of Well-Being of Children & Families – University of Michigan

    • Bachelors in integrative studies with a focus on Child Development - Oakland University

    • ADHD, Autism, & AuDHD

    • Chronic Pain or Illness

    • Learning Differences & Academic Challenges

    • Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)

    • Physical Disabilities or Injuries

    • Sensory Processing

    • TNB/LGBTQIA2S+ Issues

    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Executive Function Coaching

    • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

    • Play Therapy

    • Sand Tray

    • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP)

  • Individuals & Groups

    • Toddlers

    • Children (4 to 10)

    • Preteens

    • Teens

    • Adults

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Blue Care Network

    • Aetna

    • Priority Health

Therapist at Mala Child & Family Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan - Katie Czarnik LLMSW

Get to know Katie

  • I have always known I wanted to work with kids and support families. Growing up I was always entertaining my cousins and younger friends through play. Discovering how my brain worked and why I always felt different pushed me to want to support others in understanding their uniqueness. When I found the mental health profession, everything fit together, and I knew it was where I was meant to be.

  • I love that I get to play all day. Play is how children express their feelings, struggles and how they show what is happening in their world. Being invited into a child's world of play is an authentic relationship where people can learn and grow and connect deeper with each other and themselves. I love knowing that I can give others the tools to grow and learn more about themselves and connect with their brain.

  • Whether you are 4 or 54 I love to incorporate fun into every session. Sometimes we grow up and forget how to play, I want to remind you how, no matter your age. I am an expressive, stimmy, and move-y person, and I enjoy being my authentic self, in sessions with me I encourage my clients to move, sit, and stim in whatever way their bodies need. I incorporate lots of body check-ins, art, play, music, activities, and psychoeducation into my sessions. My goal is to create a space where my clients feel safe, connected, and ready to grow.

    Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)- is an evidence-based form of play therapy, that is entirely child-led. With children of all ages, I incorporate CCPT, Which can look like my client playing independently or including me in their story. I use my knowledge in CCPT to pick up on themes, patterns, and connection-building to help my young clients reach their goals and connect with themselves. If you are unsure about CCPT please ask me for more information!

  • As a Queer, Gender-Queer, Neurodivergent person, I find it truly important to be my bold and authentic self. I cannot change or hide who I am so I make the decision every morning to try my best to connect with myself, and be me. I believe I have the ability to do that because of the connections I have and working hard to find people who support and accept all parts of me. Our connections with people who see us authentically for who we are is the most important thing in life, and finding those people is our purpose.

  • I am passionate about Neurodivergent justice and advocacy! I have struggled with understanding myself and others for a long time. I know what it's like to be in many different types of schools, and I know children and teens, especially those whose brains work differently, need support in schools, home, and the world. I know the world is a scary place, but I am passionate about creating safety, support, and community.

  • Chloé Hayden! Chloé is an Autistic, ADHD, Disabled, actress, advocate, and author who I connect with deeply. Chloé's content helped me to discover who I am and feel seen in the world when I felt the most lost. She is authentic, bold and driven, and inspires me to try to do the same everyday!

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