Meet Dr. Hecht and her team

Dr. Hecht is a licensed psychologist in the state of Minnesota and currently sees families in private practice as a member of Anxiety Treatment Resources, providing specialized assessment and treatment of anxiety, OCD and related issues in youth. She also provides telehealth treatment in many other states under the authority of PSYPACT. To learn more about Dr. Hecht and her current team of student clinicians, check out the bios below.

Kathryn Hecht, PhD, LP

I am a child and adolescent OCD and anxiety specialist, but also a mom, speaker, author, parent coach, rock climber, pizza lover, and bravery cheerleader. I received my doctorate from the University of Minnesota's joint Ph.D. program in developmental and clinical psychology at the Institute of Child Development. Advised by Dr. Dante Cicchetti, I started out my career doing research on how scary and stressful stuff impacts how kids develop. I published a few papers, but what I really learned from all that work was that kids can handle really hard things, and that all kids can be brave if they get the chance. I decided to spend my career trying to help kids be brave, and helping other grown–ups help kids too. I am a member of the International OCD Foundation’s training faculty for their Behavior Therapy Training Institute, and I present both locally and nationally on pediatric anxiety/OCD and exposure-based CBT. I’m also the author of the Be Brave Activity Book, an exposure-based CBT workbook for kids with anxiety, and DareDecks, a series of card decks for building bravery.

I am current a professional member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the International OCD Foundation, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and APA's Society of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology. I also serve on the board of trustees for Groves Learning Organization.

Final note: I can pretend to be a grown up for about 20 minutes before I revert to a goofy 9–year–old. You’ve been warned.

PhD Student Clinicians

Dr. Hecht also trains and supervises advanced PhD student clinicians interested in deepening their knowledge of evidence-based assessment and intervention for pediatric OCD, anxiety, and related issues. The student clinicians joining Dr. Hecht for the 2024-2025 year are experienced PhD students from the University of Minnesota’s top-ranked doctoral programs in Developmental and Clinical Psychology.

Tori Simenec

I am a 5th year doctoral student at the University of Minnesota, specializing in child development and clinical psychology. I work collaboratively with children, adolescents, and their families in treating anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring challenges. I employ evidence-based tools to support individuals’ unique needs and goals. I strive to leverage the strengths of the individual and their communities to ensure that care is both effective and culturally responsive. My clinical experience has included neurocognitive assessment, particularly in assisting families with complex medical concerns such as prenatal alcohol exposure, through the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. I also received training in cognitive behavioral therapies, with an emphasis on trauma, to treat a variety of mental health challenges through the Behavioral Health Clinic for Families.

Kayla Nelson

I am a 5th year doctoral student at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development, with a focus in developmental and clinical psychology. I work closely with children, adolescents, and their families to address challenges related to anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring difficulties. I utilize evidence-based tools and strategies to engage children and adolescents in support of their needs and goals. A cornerstone of my work is leveraging the multiple systems that support children and adolescents including their family, friends, and school. My clinical experience includes neuropsychological assessment, particularly working with children and families impacted by prenatal substance exposure and traumatic life events, through the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain under the supervision of Dr. Amy Gross and Dr. Amanda Kalstabakken. I also received training in cognitive behavioral therapy approaches, with an emphasis on mood disorders and anxiety in childhood and adolescence, to treat a variety of mental health challenges at the Behavioral Health Clinic for Families under the supervision of Dr. Kristina Reigstad.

Caroline Ostrand

I am a third-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Minnesota. I work closely with families to provide evidence-based treatments to youth experiencing anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and co-occurring conditions. My treatment philosophy is grounded in an appreciation for the biological, cognitive, and emotional processes that impact mental health across the lifespan. By integrating thorough diagnostic evaluations with targeted interventions, I use a tailored approach to address the diverse and dynamic needs of children and adolescents. My clinical experience has included conducting neuropsychological evaluations to support youth with complex medical conditions at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain under the supervision of Dr. Kelly King. I also received training at McLean Hospital and Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, where I worked with individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder and acute psychiatric conditions.

Past Practicum Students

https://icd.umn.edu/doctoral-student/sarah-gillespie
https://cla.umn.edu/about/directory/profile/manbe007