Kathryn Frutiger, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in both Alaska and Montana, with a diverse background in mental health service delivery, clinical supervision, advocacy, and trauma-informed care across rural and underserved communities.

Kathryn earned dual Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Montana—a Bachelor of Social Work with an emphasis in Child and Family Services, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with a focus on Juvenile Delinquency. She also completed additional coursework in Public Policy and Psychology, deepening her understanding of systemic impacts on individual and community well-being.

During her undergraduate studies, Kathryn interned with UM Allies, where she played a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive campus environment for individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. She contributed to the development of pre- and post-assessment tools to enhance the effectiveness and quality of Allyship training—an early demonstration of her commitment to inclusive practices and evidence-based program development.

Kathryn went on to earn her Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Michigan, with a certification in School Social Work and specializations in Adventure Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Her diverse clinical experience includes working in K-12 schools, therapeutic youth homes, community mental health agencies, and private practices utilizing equine-assisted therapy, trauma-informed movement therapy, art and music therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions.

As a school social worker, Kathryn is well-versed in supporting educational success through her work with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), functional behavioral assessments, behavioral intervention planning, and social-emotional learning (SEL). She works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to promote student well-being and family engagement.

Kathryn's clinical practice is grounded in strengths-based, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral approaches, always tailored to the unique needs of individuals and their families. Her work emphasizes cultural humility, client empowerment, and evidence-informed interventions.

She is also an active volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), where she contributes to suicide prevention, postvention support, and public policy advocacy at both the state and federal levels. Kathryn has participated in lobbying efforts to improve access to mental health care and expand funding for suicide prevention services.

Kathryn’s work is deeply rooted in rural and remote communities across Alaska and Montana, where she has partnered with schools, tribal organizations, and healthcare providers to expand access to care and build local capacity. She has worked extensively with Alaska Native populations, focusing on bridging cultural gaps, promoting culturally relevant services, and advocating for equitable Telehealth practices in frontier regions. She has also contributed to the development of ethical and culturally responsive frameworks for remote mental health service delivery.

Kathryn holds specialized certificates in:

• School Social Work

• Telehealth Mental Health Practice

• Mindfulness-Based Clinical Practice

• Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention

• Trauma-Informed Care Delivery for Clinicians and Peer Support Specialists

Outside of her professional work, Kathryn enjoys backcountry skiing, traveling, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, meditation, and above all—laughing often and living fully.