Kathryn Hamm, LCSW, CST

 

Personal Philosophy

Therapy is a partnership between people who agree to roll up their sleeves and get in the mud together. The human experience is a messy one, and therapy reflects that.  I am not perfect. I don’t expect you to be either. Ultimately, therapy is about growth and there is no growth without discomfort.

My approach is relational. I believe the trust we develop is foundational to the work. We can do amazing things if we trust each other and build a strong therapeutic relationship. I like to think I bring humor and some irreverence; we can take ourselves too seriously, me included! I am absolutely LGBTQ+ affirming and wouldn’t be here if not for the queer people in my life.

You can read more about me here: katiejhamm.com

Education & Qualifications
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Master of Social Work, 2009
  • American University of Rome, Italy, Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, 1997
  • Gottman Institute, Clinical Foundations in Couples Therapy
  • University of Wisconsin-Stout, Certificate in Sex Therapy, 2023
  • AASECT Certification in Sex Therapy, 2026

Professional Affiliations

  • Adjunct Faculty (retired), Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, UW-Milwaukee, 2011 to 2025
  • 2020 recipient of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award for excellence and innovation in teaching
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
  • American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists (AASECT)

Treatment Focus

I work with all sexual, gender, and relationship identities. That means, straight, LGBTQ+, cis or trans, monogamous and ethically non-monogamous individuals and partnerships. Having said that, within those identities and relationships there are issues I work with more frequently, including:
  • internalized shame from religion or purity culture
  • emotional disconnect in relationship
  • communication challenges and conflict 
  • mismatched desire
  • recovery from infidelity
  • changes in relationship due to life stage stressors from parenting young children to aging and illness
  • grief and loss
  • considering separation or divorce, conscious uncoupling
  • medical issues affecting sexual function
  • erectile issues and painful penetration
I work with many, many issues, some related to relationships and sex and others that aren’t about either of those things! If your concern is not listed here, we can still work together!

Treatment Modalities

My work is informed by many approaches including Gottman Method, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Buddhist Psychology, Attachment Theory, and contemporary sex therapy. I do not follow any model rigidly but integrate a variety of strategies depending on the client and their needs. I do believe strongly that every person and every problem benefits from slowing down, practicing a pause, attuning with the self, and making active choices informed by the question “how is this moment of service to me?”