Kate Walsh, APRN
phone: (203) 392-5475

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Duke University
  
• Master of Science in Nursing, Yale University
  
• Certified and licensed as a Psychiatric APRN

 

Theoretical Orientation

It takes two to speak the truth -- One to speak, and another to hear.
- Henry David Thoreau, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers

Desire for change is a natural, healthy human drive.  However, many barriers can arise, and we can find ourselves in various stages of "stuckness" or feeling lost.  Talk therapy is one of many ways people can gain support as they strive to make positive changes in their lives. 

I believe therapy should be flexible in its approach and I tend to draw on principles related to empowerment of the individual, education, and forming meaningful connections with the world around you.  Some tools I use include Motivational Interviewing (which tends to elicit people's own natural motivations rather than someone else telling you what you should be doing), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (works on the idea that emotions, thoughts, behaviors are interrelated -- and changing one could impact the others), Trauma Recovery and Empowerment (helps those who have experienced trauma through a safe, non-threatening approach), and in some cases a medical model perspective.  The most important tool I have is to listen and simply be present with the other person's experiences.

The best way out is through.
- Robert Frost

Professional Interests

Identifying, treating, maintaining recovery from:

• Depression, anxiety, and panic
• Substance use, abuse, and dependence
• Harmful effects of trauma -- Regaining perspective of self and the world and finding ways and motivation to move forward
• Serious mental illnesses such as bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders

 

It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
- Chinese Proverb

Mental Health Philosophy

As a psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (a.k.a. APRN, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) I view mental health care on an equal footing with physical health care. Just as we go to the dentist or doctor when things are well (routine preventive care) and when things aren't well (curative care), the same applies to our mental well-being.   Proper mental health care could take many forms: exercise, making time for leisure, developing healthy relationships with family and friends, having a spiritual outlet, having healthy expressive outlets, talking to a professional.  There are some instances in which it makes sense to consider adding medication to the treatment plan.  I view my role more as an adviser than as a prescriber.  Just like any form of health care you have the final say in what treatments you choose to accept.

It is the truth that we ourselves speak rather than the treatment we receive that heals us.
- O. Hobart Mowrer

Action may not always bring happiness;
but there is no happiness without action.
- Benjamin Disraeli