Kathleen Ristau holds a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Minnesota State University Mankato. She has a passion for helping people navigate mental health and interpersonal relationships, and that commitment shows in the care she brings to every patient.
Her path into healthcare started young. As a high school student, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. That experience showed her something she couldn’t unsee: the stigma surrounding mental health kept people from getting help. She wanted to change that. Years later, she went back to school, completing her Bachelor’s degree at 35, then pursuing her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. She describes being humbled by the kindness and support she received while working toward that degree. It takes a village, she says, and she learned that lesson firsthand.
In her practice, Kathleen offers individual, couples, and family psychotherapy. She uses evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychoeducation, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. She’s also pursuing specializations in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Sexual Therapy.
She builds trust with patients by starting with respect. People need to feel accepted exactly where they are in their journey, not judged or not rushed. Real change takes consistency and time.
Growing up in rural communities shaped her choice to practice rural healthcare. She loves the strength and character of rural life. She also saw the gaps in access to care, and she wanted to be part of closing that gap.
When she visited Windom Area Health, she felt at home. The organization’s focus on community outreach and growth matched her own values. She wanted to work somewhere mental health mattered, and she found that here.
Outside of work, Kathleen spends time with her family, baking, cooking, and enjoying nature. She watches her children play sports and enjoys crafting and thrifting—hobbies that keep her creative and grounded.
