Community Live Your Best Life Through Katie Burchenal Counseling

By Kim Beach

We can thank Miami University for bringing Katie Burchenal to the Cincinnati area. As a Virginia high school soccer player, she contemplated playing at the next level and Denison University was interested in recruiting her. Since she was looking at the Midwest, her neighbors (two sets of Miami mergers) suggested she look at Miami University. It was love at first sight, and she enjoyed her four years in Oxford, gaining a bachelor’s degree in mass communication in 1994.

Fast forward to 2020 and Katie was finishing her master’s degree in clinical mental health to focus on her true calling: assisting people as they work through life’s transitions. Katie has always enjoyed helping individuals and has been described as a “very good listener.” She considers it a privilege to provide emotional support for her patients and sees a growing need for mental health counseling. Her current patients range in age from 10 to 76.

As a “more mature” counselor, Katie considers her age to be a blessing. Her life experiences give her the ability to connect with her patients and have sympathy for their situations. She is a huge fan of the Mariemont community and chose to locate her office here because of the generous support she received when she first came to the school district.

She moved her family to Terrace Park as a single mother and was immediately welcomed into the neighborhood. She was overwhelmed by the kindness she and her children received from fellow moms, dads, and new friends. Her children had an incredible experience in the Mariemont schools and she is interested in giving back with her new practice.

Of her four children, three are Mariemont High School graduates: Madeline (‘16), Wally (‘19), and Henry (‘21). Her daughter Lawson took another path and graduated from Cincinnati Country Day in 2020. Eventually, Katie met Jamie Burchenal (also from Terrace Park) and they combined their two families in a wedding over six years ago. Katie and Jamie now live in Indian Hill and their children are spread across Cincinnati and the United States.

Katie Burchenal Counseling officially opened in August 2024 and is located in Suite 301 in the Mariemont Center Building (3914 Miami Rd). It is a carefully thoughtout sanctuary for her sessions, using calming colors and comfortable furniture. She looks forward to becoming part of the fabric of the local Mariemont community. She is also invested in creating opportunities for a positive mental health environment in the school district and beyond.

A high degree of empathy enables Katie to find success in her business. She notes that “Unconditional Positive Regard” (or no judgment) helps her create a safe space for her clients to share their feelings. Her sense of humor also provides levity in the sessions.

In her free time, Katie enjoys watching college sports. Her daughter, Lawson, is completing her master’s degree at Georgetown University and using up her last year of eligibility to play women’s soccer. She played for the University of Tennessee for her undergraduate years, red shirting her freshman year. Lawson won many athletic and academic awards at UT and topped it off as a team Captain in 2023. Katie also spent time previously following her son Wally’s career. Wally was a Mariemont Warrior’s quarterback and continued his career at Depauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.

Katie also enjoys traveling and shares, “Iceland is my all-time favorite place. I would love to go back!” She continues, “When you are in Iceland, it is like being in an alternate universe.” In the Village, Katie’s favorite spots include Southerby’s and the Quarter Bistro. Her sons Wally and Henry worked at the Quarter for years, and as she shares,

“The Quarter staff was so kind. It’s the first restaurant my kids want to visit when they are home.” Hiking is another hobby of Katie’s and her office walls are lined with impressive hikes she has conquered.

Katie is now interested in helping people conquer their mental health challenges and relationship issues. She is excited to grow her practice and “connect with other families who love the Mariemont area as much as I do.” To contact Katie, please call her at 513-520-3712 or find more information at www.katieburchenalcounseling.com

513.271.3200 4113 Plainville Road Cincinnati, OH 45227