Dr. Kate Ervin, M.D., FAPA, FASAM, FACLM
Medical Director
Medical Director
As Medical Director of Borden Cottage, Dr. Kate Ervin brings exceptional clinical depth, intellectual rigor, and a whole-person approach to the care of individuals and families navigating addiction and co-occurring disorders. Triple board-certified in Psychiatry, Lifestyle Medicine, and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Ervin integrates advanced medical expertise with a deeply collaborative and compassionate style of care.
A Maine native, Dr. Ervin was born and raised in Waterville and maintains strong personal and professional ties to the state. After graduating Cum Laude from Williams College, she initially pursued a career in finance before discerning a calling to medicine—one that would allow her to engage in more meaningful work. She completed her premedical training in California, conducted research on quality of life in oncology patients, and went on to attend medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, later transferring to Mount Sinai in New York, when she was married.
Dr. Ervin completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Greenwich Hospital of Yale University, where she received the Browning Award for Outstanding Achievement, followed by residency training in Psychiatry through Harvard Medical School. Her training included clinical work at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. During residency, she also conducted advanced neuroimaging research on depression and served as Co-Chief Resident of Outpatient Psychiatry, where she pioneered a specialized training track in Interventional Psychiatry.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Ervin has developed a strong appreciation for the role that lifestyle factors play in both the development and treatment of psychiatric illness. This perspective led her to pursue additional board certification in Lifestyle Medicine, and later in Addiction Medicine. Her clinical philosophy emphasizes partnership with clients—not only to treat illness, but to support lasting mental, physical, social, and spiritual well-being. She works collaboratively with residents to strengthen the core pillars of wellness, including sleep, nutrition, movement, social connection, and stress management, alongside thoughtful use of psychopharmacology and other evidence-based interventions when indicated.
Since joining Borden Cottage in 2020, Dr. Ervin has been an integral member of the multidisciplinary treatment team. As Medical Director, she conducts comprehensive psychiatric evaluations for all incoming residents and works closely with each individual throughout their stay to ensure accurate diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and continuity of care. She collaborates extensively with therapists, nursing staff, and families to support a fully integrated treatment experience. What she values most in her role is the opportunity to know residents deeply and to witness their growth as they move toward healthier, more grounded lives in recovery.
Dr. Ervin lives in Camden with her husband, children, and a menagerie of pets. Outside of her clinical work, she is deeply committed to physical fitness and community engagement. She enjoys weightlifting, hiking, and Nordic skiing, and is both a Level 2 CrossFit coach and spin instructor. She has also been actively involved in youth education through her leadership in scholastic chess programs across Maine.