Dr. Karen E Kersting, PhD

Karen Kersting, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides counseling and psychotherapy to patients treated by surgeons in surgery (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.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.