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

I am the Director of Clinical Operations of Wildflower, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health Certified Clinician and psychotherapist at Wildflower. In my role as Director of Clinical Operations I ground Wildflower’s clinical services in evidenced based, ethical, and client-centered attuned care to work towards most effectively meeting the needs of all Wildflower clients. As a clinician and a leader, I center authentic human connection, empathy, compassion, and respect are integral components to health and well-being. I am passionate about the clinical work we do at Wildflower, and believe in creating a safe, inclusive, inspiring environment to cultivate change both internally and within our communities.

As a clinician, I draw from a variety of clinical approaches centering evidenced based care, somatic based mind-body connection, cultural competency and humility, integrity, and self-compassion. I work with individuals and couples at all stages of life. I focus primarily on working with clients who want to explore and address concerns related to reproductive mental health including infertility, PMDD, PMS, pregnancy, postpartum, miscarriage and child loss, perimenopause, as well as concerns related to sexual health including libido and desire, intimacy and connection, pain and discomfort, identify and self expression, relationships, and much more. In addition, I also work with clients who want to understand and address concerns related to mood and anxiety symptoms or disorders.

I believe providing evidenced based and factual reproductive and sexual health care is social justice, and that talking about sex and helping clients understand, discover, and work towards creating their own sexual health plans can change the world. I work to understand and honor the unique stories we all hold as individuals, while centering our common humanity and desire for growth, change, connection, and joy. I have had the honor of joy of witnessing first hand many profound transformations of clients who have successfully worked towards creating their own best lives, and I ardently believe that we all hold the inherent ability to heal, grow, and thrive. I emphasize the here and now, and use humor to connect while creating a safe and validating therapeutic space in order to explore vulnerable topics.

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. I am a Perinatal Mental Health Certified Clinician, and am an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. I have extensive training in treating perinatal and reproductive mental health issues, sexual health, mood and anxiety disorders as well as trauma and complex trauma reactions through evidence-based practices. I draw on many theories and approaches in alignment with psychodynamic psychotherapy alongside 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. Celebrating the diversity of sexual identity and expression is a central focus of Wildflower’s practice. We welcome LGBTQIA+, Queer, Trans, Gender Non-Conforming, gender-expansive, non-monogamous, kink, BDSM, and polyamourous clients.

Furthering Wildflower’s education mission is an area of passion of mine. I have presented on a variety of themes to clinicians at Wildflower and beyond including topics related to sexual and reproductive health, navigating COVID-19 with teens and adolescents, engaging in effective assessment and treatment planning.

LCSW License Number: 149018053
Type 1 NPI Number: 1568710424
Accepts: Lyra, self-pay and out of network clients

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Pronouns

she/her/hers

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Selected training and affiliation

AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST)
Sexual Health Certification from University of Michigan
Perinatal Mental Health Certified Clinician (PMH-C)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Trainings
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy Training
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Training
Exposure Response Prevention Training
Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Level 1 and 2
Highly-Sensitive Person (HSP) Knowledgeable Therapist
EMDR Basic Training

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Presentations and Facilitated Trainings

The Flexible Roadmap: Developing an Accurate Diagnosis, Case Conceptualization, Treatment Plans and the Importance of Effective Treatment Coordination
Severe Symptoms and Suicidality: Assessing and Addressing Worsening Psychiatric Symptoms

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Key beliefs

Emotions are messengers; let’s lean in and hear what they have to tell us.
We are all doing the best we can with the knowledge and skills we have right now, and we can always work to learn more, and do better.
You got this! I’m right here with you. We can do this one day at a time, one foot in front of the other.

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More about me

I am a dedicated life long learner, and am passionate about personal and educational growth and development.
I am the mom to two small boys, and find my lived experiences as their mom has helped me thrive as a human and as a therapist, and shaped the person I am today.
I adore gardening, nature, and the great outdoors.