Kate Merkle MPH, RDN, LCSW, PAT (she/her) is a psychotherapist, registered dietitian, and certified psychodramatist. She is a co-director of the Chicago Center for Psychodrama, and offers trainings and workshops to hospitals, schools, and mental health professionals throughout the Chicagoland area. Kate has been incorporating psychodrama into her group and individual work for the past 10 years.

Kate has over 20 years of experience helping people struggling with disordered eating and body image issues heal their relationship with food. She is the founder and director of Nourishment Works, a group therapy and nutrition practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders and diabetes care. She uses a holistic and strength-based approach and draws from principles of Appetite Awareness Training, Health At Every Size, Intuitive Eating, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodrama.

Kate is certified in Psychodrama, a creative arts therapy, and is trained in EMDR and intuitive eating principles. She is also a Health At Every Size (HAES®) Expert. Kate has completed extensive training in the field of eating disorders and has worked in residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and private practice. She believes self-nourishment is key in maintaining or improving one's well-being. She has completed the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Practice & Consultation Fellowship at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice.

Kate has presented at national conferences, eating disorder treatment centers, Ballet Chicago, dietetic associations, and has been featured in CHICAGO Magazine, Kate on the Radio, and The Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast.

Education

Graduate: Northeastern Illinois University, Masters of Social Work, vulnerable populations

Graduate: Benedictine University, Masters of Public Health

Undergraduate: Colorado State University, Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Food Science,

Clinical Internship: Benedictine University and Northeastern Illinois University

Certifications

Certified Psychodramatist (The Mid-South Center for Psychodrama & Sociometry, Psychodrama Training Institute of Chicago)

Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator