Welcome to OUr New Counselor!
The Linder Academy is pleased to welcome Kacia Kriener Putman, LCSW, LICSW to our team for the 2026-2027 school year.
Kacia brings more than 15 years of clinical and educational experience working with children, adolescents, and families across school-based, outpatient, intensive in-home, and therapeutic treatment settings.
Kacia will serve students and families across both our Lower and Upper Campuses, helping to strengthen The Linder Academy’s commitment to a holistic, student-centered approach that supports academic, social, emotional, and mental wellness. Her role will include providing mental health support for students, collaborating closely with faculty and families, and helping ensure that students are equipped with the tools they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Kacia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Virginia and Washington, D.C., and holds a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. She is also TF-CBT Certified (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Play Therapy, and evidence-based approaches for school refusal and anxiety-related challenges.
Throughout her career, Kacia has demonstrated exceptional leadership in developing and supervising therapeutic programs that support children’s emotional, behavioral, and academic success. She developed and directed a successful School Refusal Program, led clinical training initiatives for therapists and social workers, and has extensive experience collaborating with schools, families, and multidisciplinary teams to create meaningful outcomes for students.
In addition to supporting students directly, Kacia will help lead parent-facing workshops, trainings, and support sessions designed to strengthen partnerships between school and home. She believes strongly in open communication, consistency, and collaboration with families, and she is passionate about empowering parents with practical tools, resources, and guidance to support their children’s emotional growth and resilience.
Kacia is fluent in Spanish and has worked extensively with diverse populations in both urban and rural communities. Her philosophy centers on ensuring that every child and family feels valued, understood, and supported throughout their journey.
We are excited for our students and families to benefit from Kacia’s warmth, expertise, and dedication, and we look forward to the positive impact she will have within The Linder Academy community.