Evolve Healing & Wellness Center Practitioner
Meet Dr. Kari Weiterschan, Ph.D.
Licensed psychologist providing compassionate, evidence-based psychological care for adults.
Dr. Weiterschan brings a collaborative, individualized approach to therapy, helping clients better understand themselves, navigate difficult experiences, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Meet Dr. Kari
Experience Behind the Care
From a young age, my natural curiosity led me to question the why behind what happens in the world – particularly why people suffer and how they heal. This curiosity ultimately led me to pursue a career in academia, where I was able to study and research the human condition more intensively. My research primarily focused on understanding the effects of trauma and factors that influence resilience, including psychological and community-based interventions and health disparities. At the time, I felt this work was valuable and it excited me. It wasn’t until I began working in the VA Healthcare System that I discovered my true passion wasn’t simply understanding people—it was helping them. I devoted the remainder of my doctoral training to helping veterans and their families navigate complex mental health concerns, completing my internship at the Miami VA and postdoctoral residency at Rush University Medical Center. This work was particularly meaningful to me because of my own family’s history of military service. I eventually transitioned from the hospital setting to private practice and founded Evolve Healing & Wellness Center in 2021. My goal was to create a practice where I could apply my breadth of clinical and research experience to providing highly individualized mental healthcare that was accessible to a broader population – and I believe I have achieved just that.
At a Glance
Offering evidence-based Treatment
For adults in IL, Fl, & SC.
PTSD / Trauma Specialist
Specializes in treating post-traumatic stress and related conditions
Research-Based Care
Provides care based on years of research experience
APIT / PSYPACT
Authorized to provide telepsychology services throughout the U.S
Virtual Appointments
Virtual psychological care across multiple states.
Evidence-Based PTSD Treatment
Not all trauma therapy is the same.
Dr. Weiterschan offers multiple evidence-based approaches to PTSD treatment. Treatment recommendations are individualized based on your symptoms, experiences, treatment history, preferences, and goals.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
For individuals whose PTSD is maintained by beliefs and interpretations surrounding past trauma.
Prolonged Exposure (PE)
For individuals who benefit from systematic exposure to trauma memories and avoided situations.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
An evidence-based treatment incorporating cognitive restructuring and bilateral stimulation.
Written Exposure Therapy (WET)
A brief, structured PTSD treatment typically delivered over approximately 5 sessions.
Intensive PTSD Treatment
For individuals who prefer to complete treatment in a condensed timeframe rather than attending weekly therapy for several months.
My Approach
Therapy starts with understanding you.
My approach is rooted in counseling psychology, which recognizes that our experiences, backgrounds, identities, relationships, and environments all influence how we understand and respond to life’s challenges.
As a psychologist, I take an empathic, nonjudgmental, and curious approach to understanding each client’s lived experience.
​
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I draw from evidence-based treatments and tailor therapy to your individual needs, background, preferences, and goals.
​
I also believe that understanding your treatment matters. My goal is to give you the information and tools you need to make informed decisions about your care and become an active participant in the therapeutic process.
Collaboration is crucial to successful therapy.
Experience and Training
Education & Professional Experience
Doctor of Psychology (Ph.D.)
The University of Miami
Masters of Science in Trauma and Violence Studies
New York University
Professional Experience
Private Practice / Evolve Healing & Wellness Center
Rush University Medical Center
VA Healthcare System
University of Miami
Evidence-Based Training
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
And Many Others
Military & Veteran Experience
Care informed by experience.
My work with veterans and military families has played an important role in shaping who I am as a psychologist.
During my clinical training and subsequent work within the VA Healthcare System, I helped veterans and their families navigate complex mental health concerns. This work holds particular meaning for me because of my own family’s history of military service.
What if You've Already Tried Treatment?
Treatment-Resistant or Persistent PTSD
PTSD doesn’t always respond to the first treatment approach. When symptoms persist, treatment may need to be reconsidered rather than simply continued indefinitely.
​
Dr. Weiterschan provides evidence-based assessment and treatment planning for individuals with persistent PTSD symptoms, including those who have previously completed therapy without achieving the improvement they hoped for.
Virtual Care Across Multiple States
Psychological care that goes beyond state lines.
Evolve Healing & Wellness Center provides virtual psychological care to clients throughout Illinois, Florida, South Carolina, and eligible PSYPACT participating states.
​
Dr. Weiterschan’s PSYPACT authorization allows her to provide telepsychology to eligible clients across participating jurisdictions, helping make ongoing psychological care more accessible.
You don't have to navigate life's challenges alone.
Whether you’re reliving difficult experiences, struggling with persistent worry, concerned about substance use, or simply feeling dissatisfied with where you are in life, therapy can provide a place to understand what’s happening and determine what comes next.
My role is to listen, support, and help you develop strategies that promote healing, growth, and meaningful change.