Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Whyte.
Hi Esther, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After moving to the US from Germany via Ireland, I graduated from Wake Forest University with a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2018. I worked for a large private practice in Winston-Salem from 2018 to 2025 called the Mood Treatment Center. Working among so many different therapists was great, as I was able to learn so much from the people around me over the years. I began specializing in Eating Disorders, trauma and OCD when I was there. In 2025, I opened my own private practice closer to where I live, in the Lake Norman area. My connection to the Winston-Salem area was still strong as I still work with a lot of clients who live in that area. I recently opened a second location in Winston-Salem where my new associate, Wendy Broadstreet, works full time. She started working for me earlier this year, so now there’s two of us at Nourished Connections Counseling. Once I met Wendy for the first time, I knew immediately I needed to hire her. Her personality is so well suited to being a therapist and she’s been a wonderful asset to my practice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
2025 and 2026 have not been the easiest years for small private practices due to big private equity companies flooding the mental health market. We just can’t compete with the big marketing campaigns they are able to do.
Being paneled with insurance companies has also had its ups and downs.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nourished Connections Counseling?
Our website is www.nourishedconnectionscounseling.com where you can find more info about our practice.
We’re a small group of two mental health therapists specializing in OCD, eating disorders, trauma, anxiety and life transitions. We accept Aetna, BCBS, and United Healthcare.
Our practice specializes in treating eating disorders, OCD, and anxiety, along with general mental health concerns. We pride ourselves on making high quality mental health counseling accessible by accepting insurance and offering reduced fee scholarships to those in need. We believe in putting people and humanity first in a profit-obsessed world. Our therapists are highly trained in evidence based approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Family Based Treatment.
We are a Health At Every Size (HAES) aligned practice and value all identities, sexual orientations, cultures, body types, abilities, and life experiences.
Both of our providers also bring something unique to the table – as a former school teacher, Wendy loves working with teachers, students and the school system, and is interested in supporting women through hormonal challenges in midlife. Esther uses brainspotting to work through trauma and other painful life experiences.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in a suburb of Hamburg, Germany. I was born in 1990, so my childhood was before smartphones were a thing so I spent a lot of time playing outside in a latch key kid sort of way. I played the violin and loved riding horses. I’ve always seen life as one big adventure, so I took advantage of the opportunity to spend a year abroad (in Cincinnati, Ohio of all places) when I was in High School. I was an achievement driven kid and tried to do it all – as I got older and made my own schedule, there was little to no downtime in my life. I learned over time that I need time to recharge in order to enjoy all the fun things I like to do in life. I lived in Ireland from age 19 – 26 and Ireland still holds a very dear place in my heart. It’s where a lot of my coming of age happened.
Pricing:
- we accept insurance: Aetna/ Meritain, BCBS/ Anthem, United Healthcare/ Optum
- for self-pay pricing, please visit our website
Contact Info:
