Areas of Specialty
Trauma & Dissociation
We can experience trauma in many ways, maybe it is a one-time traumatic event or maybe it is a need we had as a child that did not get met. Experiencing trauma impacts the way our brain organizes information/beliefs related to how we experience the world and relationships around us. Trauma can also lead to dissociation as the brain works hard to protect itself, but can leave us struggling to stay connected to the present. Dr. Wierda is an EMDR therapist and dedicates much of her continued professional development to learning and deeply understanding trauma-focused approaches to treatment. Dr. Wierda focuses on helping individuals explore and understand ways they have been impacted by their trauma and learn new and more adaptive ways of functioning.
Identity
Figuring out who we are is central to our overall mental health and well-being. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Dr. Wierda enjoys working with individuals to explore aspects of their identity (e.g., sexual orientation/attraction, gender, race), ways parts of their identity may intersect, and identity-related concerns within relationships and systems of an individuals’ life.
Eating/Body Image Concerns
Our food patterns and relationship with our body can change over the course of our life or can be an old struggle that we have not been able to understand or change. Dr. Wierda works with individuals who struggle with disordered eating (e.g., food restriction, binge eating, obsession with “clean/healthy” eating, compensatory behaviors) and body image concerns. Food patterns and struggles being in our body can be impacted by numerous factors, such as our emotions, personality patterns, family culture, messages we have received regarding food/our body, and trauma. Dr. Wierda works collaboratively with individuals to develop a plan for treatment, explore parts of self, and increase adaptive thoughts/functioning. Dr. Wierda often collaborates with other healthcare providers (e.g., physician, psychiatrist, dietitian) as part of a more holistic treatment approach.
Psychological Assessment
In addition to therapy, Dr. Wierda also conducts adult psychological assessment to help aid in the assessment and diagnosis of mood disorders, personality disorders, ADHD, and learning disorders. Dr. Wierda sees the overall assessment process as an opportunity to help individuals better understand themselves and their overall psychological and relational functioning.
Trainings/Workshops
Dr. Wierda enjoys teaching and training and offers workshops focused on diversity and inclusion. Dr. Wierda also offers professional trainings related to working with diverse and intersecting identities, such as working with LGBTQ+ clients and related case consultation.
Kathryn Wierda, Ph.D.
“When you disappear in your own life, re-entry is hell.”
- Dr. Brené Brown -