Meet Dr. Kate Cleveland | Doctor of Physical Therapy

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Kate Cleveland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Kate, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My personal challenging postpartum experience ignited my passion to support families during this sacred season of transition, trials and growth. My son’s birth 3 years ago led to a pivot in my career, my life, my identity, purpose and to the birth of my private pelvic health physical therapy practice, Enso Mama. I often get asked “what does Enso mean?” Enso is a sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism meaning circle, or sometimes, circle of togetherness. It is traditionally drawn using only one brushstroke as a meditative practice in letting go of the mind and allowing the body to create. My goal is to equip women with education, resources and non-biased support in a safe space. I center the mother with communal, nervous system based care. I believe if mothers are well, families are well and ultimately communities are well.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We provide compassionate, personalized, evidenced-based, trauma informed support for families as they transition into parenthood with physical therapy for both mother and baby all with a nervous system, connection based lens. I support mothers during their pregnancies, help them prepare for birth and support them in their recovery. I believe it is never too early or too late to prioritize your healing.

My practice is inclusive and LGBTQ+ affirming. I treat the whole person by giving them the space and support to feel seen and deeply cared for.

My goal is to improve access to physical therapy for common issues such as pain, urine or gas leaking, pelvic organ prolapse, GI issues, diastasis recti, c section recovery and pelvic floor healing. Many of my clients have suffered with painful sex, leak urine or gas, live with pain or deal with the inability to climax. I want everyone to know hope and treatment exist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love food, art, music, spa days and movement. We would eat well, rest deeply and sweat! I would take them to Snooze for breakfast, Truth BBQ for lunch and Uchi for dinner. We would sweat at The Breathing Room, ride bikes through the Heights Bike Trail and then do a sound bath meditation at Studio Be and have spa treatments (facial at Tulum Wellness Spa and massage at the Houstonian). I would take them to Lar Art installation at Project Row Houses, The Fine Art Museum and then concert at White Oak Music Hall.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe a debt of gratitude to so many of my mentors over the past 11+ years of my career, my family and more specifically Dr. Julie Granger’s Be the Boss of Your Career Program where I gained the mindset tools to take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship. I am grateful for God’s goodness and grace in guiding me to my life’s work and purpose. Enso Mama was birthed out of a dark time of desperation and hopelessness as I battled PPA/PPD.

Website: www.ensomama.org

Instagram: @ensomama

Image Credits
Drea Gonzalez