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

Katie Czarnik LLMSW

Clinical Social Worker

Ann Arbor & Online

About Me 

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

Hello! I am Katie, I discovered my passion for working with children, teens, and families at a young age. 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. I specialize in Autism, ADHD, PDA, other neurodivergence and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I believe it is important to find people who accept you and can help you create a safe, fun environment. I am passionate about helping children and families find these environments, develop tools, manage emotions, and identify burnout and coping skills.

My Approach 

I aim to create a fun, safe environment where individuals can feel connection and support. My approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed. I use multiple approaches such as Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), parts of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support individuals through a neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed lens. I value incorporating integrative approaches into my care such as art, movement, music, and sensory-based activities. I am committed to continuing to learn other ways to support my clients and learn the best ways that work for each individual.

Outside the Office 

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my cats (Leben and Alfie), friends, and family, being outdoors, cosplaying (fancy dress-up), learning new facts, and anything artsy. Ask me for a dinosaur fact!

Kid-Friendly 

Welcome! My name is Katie! I love dinosaurs, rainbows, Bluey and all things yellow! I love sharing facts so, ask me for a fun fact!  I can’t wait to hear all about you! 

When I learned about the way my brain worked it helped me find out more about myself and my struggles. 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! Sometimes what works for some people to help their struggles, doesn’t work for everyone, so I want to help you find what works for your brain!  

As your therapist, I want to 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 your brain! I do this with you as a team, and together we can get enjoy fun times and get through hard things.  

I am so excited to meet you, when you come to my office you might see lots of toys and lots of ways to create. You are in charge of the space, meaning you get to choose which lights are on, where we sit, and what we do!  

If you have any other questions or want a dinosaur fact, you can ask me anytime!

    • Masters in Social Work specializing in the well-being of children and families - University of Michigan

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

    • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Attachment-based, Dialectical Behavioral (DBT), Emotionally Focused, Family Systems, Feminist, Person-Centered, Play Therapy, Relational, Sandtray, Strength-Based, Trauma Focused, Neurodiversity-Affirming

    • ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Neurodivergence, PDA

    • ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Child, Disability, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergence, Parenting, PDA

    • Individuals, Family, Group

    • Toddler, Children (6 to 10), Preteen, Teen, Adults

    • Specializes in Neurodivergent populations & LGBTQIA2S+ communities

    • Has experience with chronic pain/illness

    • Ann Arbor office

    • Remote

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!