Karen E. Kersting, PhD
Assistant Professor
Location
- Cancer Center - Froedtert Hospital
- 8800 West Doyne Ave.
- Milwaukee, WI 53226
Specialties
- Behavioral Health
New & Established Patients Call
My approach to patient care starts with understanding the context of a person’s life: current and past struggles, family and social relationships, values and goals, and strengths and passions. I take a highly individualized approach therapy, collaborating with patients to find the best fit for establishing goals and structuring sessions. My work is based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy practices and supported by Acceptance and Commitment, interpersonal, and motivational approaches, all aimed at reaching patient goals, reducing distress, and improving quality of life.
Overview
Diseases and Conditions
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Grief and Loss
- Relationship Issues
- Adjustment to Cancer Diagnosis
Treatments and Services
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
- Health Psychology
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Behavioral Pain Management
Patients Ages Seen
- Adult
Languages
- English
Clinic Locations
Cancer Center - Froedtert Hospital
- 8800 West Doyne Ave.
- Milwaukee, WI 53226
- (866) 680-0505
- Get Directions
Biography
Karen Kersting, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides counseling and psychotherapy to patients treated by surgeons in the Division of Surgical Oncology. She completed an undergraduate degree in Journalism at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, a PhD in Counseling Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical health psychology at the Dayton Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dayton, OH. She joined the faculty of MCW in 2016, happily moving back to her hometown of Wauwatosa.
Dr. Kersting’s research interests include the development and assessment of integrated psychosocial services for people coping with cancer diagnosis and treatment, with an emphasis on patients diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. Additionally, her works aims to highlight issues related to social determinants of health and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions.
Education and Training
Master of Science in Counseling Psychology - Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA (2012)
Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology - Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, VA (2015)
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Behavioral Medicine - Dayton Veterans Administration Medical Center - Dayton, OH (2015-2016)