Kate Merkle, MPH, RDN, LDN, LCSW, CDWF, PAT she/her

Founder and Executive Director

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Daring Way Facilitator™ & Certified Psychodramatist

Kate is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), holding a Masters of Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University, a Masters of Public Health from Benedictine University, and a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Food Science from Colorado State University. With 20 years of experience, she has been dedicated to assisting individuals in healing their relationship with food. Specializing in body attunement for those struggling with disordered eating and body image issues, she has undergone extensive training in the field of eating disorder recovery. Her professional background includes working in hospital settings, various levels of treatment, and outpatient settings. She firmly believes that self-nourishment is essential for maintaining or improving one's well-being and that recovery is possible.

My Approach

She takes a holistic approach when working with clients to address disordered eating patterns and negative body image concerns. Her mission is to help her clients lead flourishing lives, characterized by vitality, physical well-being, meaning, and connection. Employing a strength-based approach, she draws from a range of therapeutic modalities, including Appetite Awareness Training, Health At Every Size, Intuitive Eating, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), EMDR, and psychodrama.

Recognizing the importance of the therapeutic relationship in fostering change and growth, she collaborates with clients to define their goals and cultivate the necessary skills and perspectives for progress towards true recovery. She values the wisdom and experience of her clients, working to build rapport over time. Emphasizing evidence-based practice, she conducts ongoing assessments to remain focused on the client's goals, track progress, and make adjustments as needed.

Areas of expertise

Eating disorders and disordered eating recovery
Consultation & supervision for therapists, nutritionists, dietitians, and nutrition/therapy students
12-Step Informed
Attuned and mindfulness based eating & self-care
Non-diet, weight neutral, body inclusive approach to well-being
LGBTQ+ welcoming & affirming care
Nutritional counseling of all ages across the lifespan
Experienced facilitator of nutrition support groups
Health At Every Size (HAES®) Expert:
- As a HAES® dietitian expert, she is committed to practicing and advocating for size inclusivity, health enhancement, respectful care, eating for well-being, and life-enhancing movement. Interested individuals can explore the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) statement of the HAES® Principles here.

Specialized Training

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Practice & Consultation Fellowship at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice
EMDR trained (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) through the EMDR Institute
Certified Psychodramatist (PAT)
- Advanced training at The Mid-South Center for Psychodrama & Sociometry, Psychodrama Training Institute of Chicago, and The Chicago Center for Psychodrama
Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, San Antonio, TX
The Body Project Facilitator, Chicago, IL
Molly Kellogg’s Counseling Intensive™ for Nutrition Professionals, Chicago, IL
Currently pursuing Intuitive eating certification and the CDCES Diabetes certification

Education

Masters of Social Work, Northeastern Illinois University
Masters of Public Health, Benedictine University
Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Food Science, Colorado State University