Kate Ernstrom, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C (she/her)

I am a psychotherapist and Director of Clinical Operations at Wildflower. In my role as Director of Clinical Services I oversee and manage all aspects of Wildflower’s clinical services. I also work with staff to make sure they have a foundation of solid clinical skills and expertise. I focus on cultivating an environment conducive to the pursuit of ongoing professional development to meet the needs of our clients and professional community.

As a clinician, I aim to provide space for people to mindfully connect with their values in order to develop a more fulfilling and values-driven approach to life. I am passionate about cultivating an environment for clinicians and clients firmly rooted in ethical and evidenced based care in order to most effectively meet the needs of individuals, couples, and families. In particular, in my clinical work I am passionate about providing care to the perinatal mental health population, as well as people struggling with mood and anxiety concerns, trauma and complex trauma reactions, as well people addressing identity and relationship concerns.

I believe psychotherapy works best when a collaborative and trusting relationship serves as its foundation, and this is what I aim to foster with all our clients and clinicians. I use humor to connect while creating a safe and validating therapeutic space in order to explore vulnerable topics. Clients can expect to gain new perspectives and skills in psychotherapy with me which will enable them to make the changes they want to see in their life. I guide my clients towards discovering their own voice — their authentic self — so they can create a life truly worth living.

I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Cornell University and later obtained my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago. Additionally, I am a certified perinatal mental health clinician, and am also pursuing a sex therapy certificate program through the University of Michigan. I have extensive training in treating perinatal and reproductive mental health issues, mood and anxiety disorders as well as trauma and complex trauma reactions through evidence-based practices. I draw on many theories and approaches, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP), Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help facilitate personal growth and sustainable change.

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Pronouns

she/her/hers

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Selected training and affiliation

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Trainings
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy Trainings
Gottman Training for Couples Therapy
EMDR Training
Certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician
Exposure Response Prevention Training
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

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Key beliefs

Emotions are messengers just waiting to be heard.
We are doing the best we can, and we can always work to do better.
Lean into the discomfort, and ask yourself: “What is there to learn here?”

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More about me

I am an avid reader, and am always looking for my next great read.
I used to live in the Pacific NW, and feel the most at home and at peace in nature.
Hot coffee, a warm fireplace, comfy blankets, and cold rainy days – these are a few of my favorite things.