Kathy T. Rider is a licensed clinical social worker who has been working in clinical practice in the Greater Austin area of Texas since 1969. Specializing in the counseling and treatment of children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, she received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin in 1967 and 1969, respectively. Ms. Rider draws upon an early interest in psychological services and desired to apply her knowledge of the field to help others throughout the course of their lives. For her incredible success, she was named a fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association in 2010 and was named a Charles Wright Distinguished Alumni by the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work in 2001.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Rider worked in outpatient adult mental health services of Integral Care (formerly known as the Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center) from 1969 to 1977. During this time, she also served as a consultant to the Austin Model Cities Project and a community specialist for the Project’s alcohol-related services. Following her service at Integral Care, Ms. Rider was hired by the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, where she served as an assistant professor and clinical faculty member until 1981. Furthermore, she was an adjunct faculty member in the behavioral health sciences department at St. Edward’s University for nearly a decade and was a clinical staff member of the mental health department at the Austin Regional Clinic for two years.
Dedicating her time and expertise to civic endeavors, Ms. Rider has sat on the board of directors of the Group Foundation for Advancing Mental Health and of the Clinical Social Work Association. Notably, she is a member of the Settlement Club of Austin, an organization that sponsors the Settlement Home for Children, a residential treatment center in Austin that was established more than 100 years ago. Likewise, she has contributed her wealth of knowledge to various settings, such as the Austin City Council PTA, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees, where she served as president for eight years, the Bryker Woods PTA, the L.L. Campbell Elementary PTA and the Austin High School PTSA.
A licensed clinical social worker in the State of Texas and a certified group psychotherapist, Ms. Rider is also a board-approved supervisor and nationally board certified in clinical social work. The proud mother of three children – Tracy, Courtney and Kelley – she also has five grandchildren. She was selected for inclusion in several editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, and Who’s Who of American Women.