As we cozy up and prepare for the arrival of winter, we are reflecting on what books have helped us learn and grow over the past few months. We would like to share with you what some of the members of our team are reading for comfort, exploration, growth, and knowledge with the hope to…
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
Pronouns
she/her/hersSelected 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 TrainingPresentations 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 SymptomsKey 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.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.
Demystifying Psychotherapy: How to Get the Most Out of Psychotherapy
In this part of our Demystifying Psychotherapy series we will be exploring what happens at the beginning of psychotherapy, and how to get the most out of your experience. Psychotherapy is an investment in yourself and your future. It is not a quick fix, or a one-size-fits-all approach. Psychotherapy takes time, commitment, energy, effort, and…
Mindful Parenting
Many new parents and parents-to-be reflect on the question, “What type of parent do I want to be?” This question can seem so monumental and challenging to answer. This article offers a way to sort through how to arrive at answers. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help us in this exploration. The goal of…
What Can Avoidance Teach Us?
Avoidance can be a very powerful coping strategy. We all do it – we avoid and we ignore. We try to push it away. It can work quite well in the moment. If it wasn’t so effective in the moment we wouldn’t use it so often. So why do we avoid? In the moment, we…
How to Ground During Times of Uncertainty
During this uncertain time, it is inevitable that many of us are experiencing stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm. This stress can take a toll on the brain and the body. One way to work through these feelings of anxiety is to draw on grounding skills. Grounding skills can allow you to step away from…
Let’s Talk about Sleep – Tips for Getting Better Rest
Sleep can have a magical quality; when we are getting enough sleep it can make everything in life seem smoother and more accessible, and conversely when we don’t get enough it can make everything so much more challenging and overwhelming. Maintaining effective sleep can be so incredibly important. Sleep can also be hugely impacted by…
Therapist Spotlight: Kate Ernstrom, MSW, LCSW
Kate is a psychotherapist and Director of Clinical Operations at Wildflower. Kate earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Loyola University, Chicago. She has extensive training in treating mood and anxiety disorders as well as trauma through evidence-based practices,…
