ABOUT ME

I’m Dr. Kerstin Blomquist, a licensed psychologist based in the Upstate of South Carolina. In 2022, I started Healing Waters Psychological Services, LLC, a telepsychology practice, to better meet the mental health needs of those living in South Carolina.

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Here's a little more about me...

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As an undergraduate at Wellesley College in MA, I studied Psychology and French, attended the Universite d'Aix-en-Provence, France during my junior year abroad, swam for the university (both Wellesley and Aix-Marseilles) as well as learned to play ultimate frisbee.

 

Following college, I moved to Nashville, TN, where I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Science at Vanderbilt University. During graduate school, I trained in cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy as well as in psychological assessment and diagnosis. I also conducted research in laughter, body image, and disordered eating. In Nashville, realizing that I was already running, cycling, and swimming, my friends encouraged me to put them together and compete in triathlon. I loved it!

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I completed my clinical internship at the University of California at San Diego in the Eating Disorders Clinic and at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Hospital in the Mood and Anxiety Disorder Clinics where I received additional training in cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy.

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For my clinical and research postdoctoral fellowship at Yale School of Medicine in the Program for Weight and Eating Research, I conducted psychological intake evaluations and implemented cognitive behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder as part of several randomized clinical trials. I further served as an Associate Research Scientist before starting my faculty position at Furman University.

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I am a trained researcher, professor, and clinician.

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I am a tenured Professor in the Department of Psychology at Furman University. I have published more than 30 peer-reviewed research articles and delivered over 60 presentations at national and international clinical research conferences.

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As a researcher and scholar, I lead the Body Image and Disordered Eating Prevention Lab where I examine risk, protective, and maintenance factors as well as change mechanisms for poor body image and disordered eating and develop effective, sustainable, community-based interventions to prevent disordered eating behaviors and to promote a positive body image, healthy lifestyles and psychological well-being. I regularly collaborate with national and international scientists to conduct studies. I further serve as a peer reviewer of studies for high-impact journals, which means that I am informed on recent advances in the clinical field.

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As a professor, I have taught for over 13 years. I teach the next generation of future mental health practitioners as part of my upper-level courses at Furman. I also serve as the clinical supervisor for the Furman Body Project, a body acceptance program for college women, and for Furman More Than Muscles, a body acceptance program for college men.

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As a clinician, I employ my science background and knowledge in cutting-edge evidence-based treatments and assessments all the while compassionately seeking to understand, alleviate suffering, and empower those seeking my care. I aim to facilitate my clients in becoming the thriving people they endeavor to be!