Katy Cushing: Dual Pioneers in Therapy and Canine Training

1. Katy Cushing: The Compassionate Therapist in Hingham, MA
If you’ve ever Googled Katy Cushing, there’s a good chance you were looking for the experienced clinical social worker in Hingham, Massachusetts. As Katy Cushing herself writes—verified on Psychology Today—she holds both an MSW and an LICSW and has been licensed in Massachusetts for over three decades. With 32 years in private practice, Katy Cushing brings empathy, warmth, and evidence‑based techniques to every session.
Of course, Katy Cushing isn’t just any therapist. Her approach is deeply strength‑based, compassion‑focused, and client‑centered, drawing from a wide range of modalities such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), emotionally focused work, and solution‑focused brief therapy. Katy Cushing emphasizes collaboration—meaning she’s inviting, approachable, and dedicated to helping you uncover inner resilience rather than handing out cookie‑cutter advice.
If you’re considering working with Katy Cushing, here’s what that looks like in practice: she offers 60‑minute sessions for approximately $150 each, accepts both private pay and Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance, and provides both in‑person sessions at 160 Old Derby Street, Hingham, MA 02043, and online consultations when needed.
Whether you’re facing chronic illness, grief, anxiety, or significant life transitions, Katy Cushing brings expertise and compassion in every interaction.
2. Katy Cushing: The Dog Trainer Behind A Closer Bond in Palatine, IL
When someone else searches “Katy Cushing dog training,” they’re likely referring to the owner of A Closer Bond Dog Training & Learning Center in Palatine, Illinois. Katy Cushing graduated from a dedicated dog training school in 1988 and later worked in both Chicago and Atlanta before opening her center in Palatine in 1994.
Katy Cushing’s Palatine centre isn’t just an obedience school—it’s a full pet services hub offering daycare, boarding, grooming, therapy‑dog prep, puppy classes, and advanced behavior modification. At A Closer Bond, Katy Cushing built a modular training philosophy rooted in positive reinforcement, empathy for the dog, and science‑based behavior work—all grounded in decades of real‑world experience.
Whether you want a calm off‑leash recall, help with leash aggression, socialized puppy etiquette, or even professional pet photography in a distraction‑controlled environment, Katy Cushing has crafted client‑specific paths to get there. That thoughtful, personalized style makes her facility one of the most respected in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
3. Shared Traits of Every Katy Cushing: Dedication, Empathy, and Expertise
What’s fascinating is how both incarnations of Katy Cushing—therapist and dog trainer—reflect a shared set of professional values: empathy, client‑centred work, and decades of dedication. In each case, Katy Cushing prioritizes understanding the individual—whether that’s a human grappling with life transitions or a dog navigating social cues.
Even approaches differ in technical detail (e.g., human talk therapy vs. canine behavior shaping), they align in principle: Katy Cushing emphasizes trust building, small, consistent steps forward, and clear communication of expectations. Both practice areas also share a willingness to evolve: offering teletherapy where needed, or modular drop‑in dog training programs that adapt to evolving owner lifestyles.
Importantly, each version of Katy Cushing has made deliberate choices to stay personally involved in day‑to‑day work. The therapist remains grounded in session hours—and still personally reviews cases—just as the dog trainer still works on the floor with new puppy classes and cases. That hands‑on ethic is rare and emblematic of the name’s credibility.
4. How to Engage with Katy Cushing Effectively
Once you decide “This one’s Katy Cushing”—either for therapy or pups—you’ll find each offering a streamlined, respectful process. For treatment, Katy Cushing offers a free 15‑minute phone consultation. She’s also transparent about fees, insurance acceptance, and privacy expectations. You call or email to get started.
For dog training, Katy Cushing offers a free tour at A Closer Bond’s Palatine facility, group class trials, and assessments before enrolling. The website makes pricing, program flow (e.g., puppies, board‑and‑train, behavior rehab), and daily schedule easy to explore—with zero commitment until you step in. You often see Katy Cushing teaching onsite at real sessions as part of blended team instruction.
Scaling this approach to choosing the “right Katy Cushing” is simple: check credentials (LICSW vs certified professional dog trainer), clarify your goal (therapy or dog behavior), and ask key questions: “How long have you been licensed/training?” and “Can I meet the person I’ll work with?” In both cases—therapy or canine training—transparency is front and center, just as Katy Cushing intended.
5. Why the Name Katy Cushing Resonates Across Professions
You might scroll past “Katy Cushing” thinking it’s a unique name—but it’s clear there are at least two women of that name making waves today, plus possibly more across fields like academia, consulting, or research. One summary article even refers to Katy Cushing as “licensed clinical social worker, dog‑training business owner, consultant,” highlighting the shared name across specialized niches.
So why does Katy Cushing seem to “work” as a name? First, each professional path is rooted in relationship work—mental health, human–animal bond, peer coaching. Second, both paths underscore long‑term credibility—over 30 years in practice or training means Katy Cushing is the kind of name people trust and return to. Finally, the name is tied to community outreach—speaking events, support workshops, pet‑parent education—making it one you hear about at the mental health office or the dog park.
Fast Facts — Katy Cushing in a Nutshell
Role | Location | Credentials | Focus |
---|---|---|---|
Therapist Katy Cushing | Hingham, MA | MSW, LICSW; 32+ years experience; Boston College alum | CBT, grief, chronic illness, transitions |
Trainer Katy Cushing | Palatine, IL | Certified Pet Pro Trainer; started training in 1988; founded A Closer Bond in 1994 | Obedience, behavior rehab, puppy socialization |
Frequently Asked Questions about Katy Cushing
What services does Katy Cushing offer as a therapist?
Katy Cushing (LICSW in Massachusetts) specializes in anxiety, depression, grief, relationship struggles, chronic illness adjustment, and life transitions. Her therapy style blends cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, strength-based counseling, and compassion-focused coaching—with both short-term work and deeper insight work available.
What dog training metrics does Katy Cushing use at A Closer Bond?
In Palatine, Katy Cushing focuses on measurable outcomes like leash etiquette, recall accuracy (off‑leash down from 10ft in under 5 seconds), reduced leash reactions by 80% in four weeks, and basic CGC certification readiness. Every plan includes owner‑participation scoring to reinforce at home, using real‑time feedback and video reviews.
How long has Katy Cushing practiced therapy, and what are her rates?
Therapist Katy Cushing has been serving clients for 32 years, since obtaining her MSW from Boston College and LICSW in 1993. She charges approximately $150 for a 60‑minute session and accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance as well as private pay options.
Can I combine therapy with dog training from Katy Cushing?
Not directly—therapist Katy Cushing and trainer Katy Cushing are separate professionals in different states. However, the shared name often leads people to joke that they’re getting whole‑person support if you have dogs and need emotional health guidance.
What are the best ways to contact Katy Cushing?
For therapy, reach out via the Psychology Today listing or call (339) 220‑4471 to set up a free 15‑minute consultation at her Hingham office. For dog training, book a free tour or evaluation at A Closer Bond (Palatine, IL) by visiting the website or calling their main line—often found via the company’s Yelp or LinkedIn entries.
Final Thoughts
Both of the Katy Cushing profiles covered here—whether in a sunlit therapy office in Massachusetts or a bustling dog center in Illinois—exude warmth, professionalism, and real human (or canine‑like) connection. The name comes up again and again, not because it’s trendy, but because both women behind it have chosen to build lives around listening, teaching, and transformation.
So the next time you think, “I can’t find Katy Cushing,” now you’ll know: look for the credentials that match your goal—a psychologist’s certificate or a dog trainer’s badge—and you’ll find the right one, almost always at the end of empathy and experience.