Gwendolyn Cowan-West

MSW, LCSW, RPT™,CAS

Gwendolyn Cowan-West, MSW, LCSW, RPT™, CAS is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
(LCSW) and current Director of Operations.

Gwen attended Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2000. She continued her education at the University of Kentucky, obtaining a Master of Social Work degree in 2005 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2011. Gwen began working at PPC in 1998 as a Therapeutic Child Support worker while attending EKU. Following her graduation from EKU, she entered the medical social work field where she also provided case management services. She returned to PPC as a clinician after graduating from UK. Since that time, Gwen has also obtained credentials as a Certified Autism Specialist and Registered Play Therapist.

She has had a number of roles at PPC, including Clinical and Billing Supervisor, Team Leader, and currently the Director of Operations for the entire agency. She has also developed and hosted a number of continuing education workshops for PPC, leads classes for Phoenix Wellness, and coaches a Phoenix Racing team. Gwen has served clients throughout the entire Lake Cumberland Region. She is most interested in working with neurodiverse populations and trauma survivors. Gwen is also passionate about clinical supervision, play therapy, and community trainings. She is well-known as a regional leader in providing clinical services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Gwen is currently a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Association for Play Therapy (APT) and the Kentucky Association for Play Therapy (KAPT).

LICENSURE/ CERTIFICATIONS/ TRAINING

•  Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor (LCSW)
•  Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
•  Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)
•  Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider
•  Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
•  safeTALK Suicide Alertness trained
•  QPR-Question Persuade and Refer Suicide Prevention Training
•  Aggression Replacement Training trained