Dr. Karen (Kovitz) Katchen holds a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Calgary. As a clinical and consulting psychologist, she has maintained an independent practice since 1974. She relocated to Toronto from Calgary in the early 1980’s where she coordinated a multidisciplinary child abuse program for the Alberta Children’s Hospital and was an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Calgary (Community Health Sciences).

Besides being a dedicated clinician, Dr. Katchen is often asked to consult on a wide range of topics, such as protocols for new programs and services, peer review and adjudication, commentary and guidelines for reviewing contentious practices and innovative community partnerships. She also developed and chaired one of the first studies in Canada to explore community needs and resources in the area of childhood sexual abuse and has worked with the community of Peel to draft their Child Welfare investigation and intervention protocol. In addition, Dr. Katchen has chaired the public education portfolio for the Ontario Psychological Association and has co-chaired the large joint annual public education project called "Mental Health Tune Up", which she initiated with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division. She volunteers on several boards in the psychology and arts sectors as well.