Katy Barrs

Clinical Associate Professor

What I do

I am an Associate Clinical Professor in the Military Psychology specialty in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. I teach and clinically supervise doctoral level clinical psychology students. I am also the Clinic Director of the Sturm Center, a behavioral health training clinic for Veterans, Servicemembers and their families. I also provide direct psychotherapy and assessment services to clients at the Sturm Center, along with community education/outreach across the state of Colorado.

Professional Biography


Dr. Katy Barrs completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Professional Psychology in 2007. She is currently an Associate Clinical Professor in the Military Psychology specialty. She returned to the University of Denver six years ago to start and serve as the Clinic Director of the Sturm Center, a training clinic for Veterans, Servicemembers and their families. Dr. Barrs has worked with Veterans and Servicemembers at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center, the Boston V.A. Healthcare System, and the Denver Vet Center where she served in the role of Military Sexual Trauma Treatment Coordinator. Dr. Barrs oversees the Sturm Center, provides clinical education to multiple students within the clinic, and provides licensed community clinicians with education and consulting about these populations. She has been featured in the documentary Acronym, a timely expose about the nature of PTSD from combat. Dr. Barrs is also the 2016 recipient of the American Psychological Association's Society for Military Psychology (Division 19) Arthur W. Melton Early Achievement Award. She was also won the VFW Post 1 Citizen of the Year Award in 2019. She feels honored to give back to those who have served our country.

Degree(s)

  • PsyD, Clinical Psychology, University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology, 2007
  • MA, Clinical Psychology, University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology, 2004
  • BS, Psychology, University of Georgia, 2001

Licensure / Accreditations

  • EMDR
  • Prolonged Exposure
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy
  • Licensed Psychologist in Colorado
  • Licensed Psychologist in Minnesota