LCSW, 6 years of experience
Hi! I am Dr. Kelli Stephens, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) from the University of Kentucky. I have extensive experience as both a therapist and a clinical director, and I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with resilience and self-compassion. My approach is warm, direct, and collaborative, drawing from evidence-based therapies to support clients in achieving meaningful growth and healing. I specializes in trauma therapy, addiction, and anxiety. I have experience working with adults and adolescents struggling with a variety of personality and mental health disorders.
The first session is used to determine therapeutic compatibility where I will get to know the client through various questions about biological, social, psychological, and spiritual backgrounds. We will discuss current issues and therapy goals. If compatible, the client will be scheduled for an intake session and then proceed with regular visits. I utilize a non-judgmental, person-centered approach and will meet you exactly where you are in your journey. I use a variety of treatment modalities and approaches, so each session is unique for the client and their needs at the time.
My greatest strengths as a therapist lie in my ability to build authentic, trusting relationships and to meet clients exactly where they are. I integrate a variety of evidence-based approaches—such as CBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy—tailoring each session to the unique needs and goals of the individual. Clients often share that I help them feel both challenged and supported, striking a balance between compassion and accountability. I am skilled at helping people uncover their own resilience, develop practical coping strategies, and achieve meaningful, lasting change. I meet clients where they are in their journey. I am very empathic and compassionate and have a wealth of knowledge in dealing with a wide range of mental health issues.
My ideal clients are individuals who are ready to take an honest look at their lives and are motivated to make meaningful changes, even if they feel unsure where to start. I work especially well with adolescents and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship stress, or recovery from addiction. I am also drawn to supporting clients who feel “stuck” in unhelpful patterns and want to build healthier coping skills, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of purpose. I have been working in mental health and addiction with a specialty in substance use disorder for the past few years while providing services for sober living homes around Kentucky. I previously worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital where I found a passion for working with Veterans struggling with trauma/PTSD.
I have extensive experience using Motivational Interviewing (MI) to support clients in exploring and resolving ambivalence around change. My approach is grounded in the belief that lasting change is most effective when it arises from the client’s own values and intrinsic motivation, rather than external pressure. In practice, I use MI to create a collaborative and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and respected. I focus on reflective listening, affirmations, and strategic use of open-ended questions to help clients articulate both their concerns and their hopes. This process often draws out "change talk" and strengthens their sense of autonomy and self-efficacy.
In practice, I use ACT to help clients shift from struggling against painful thoughts and emotions to cultivating openness and willingness to experience them. I focus on teaching clients skills in mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and acceptance, while also encouraging them to clarify their personal values. This dual focus allows them to develop psychological flexibility—learning to carry distressing experiences without being dominated by them, while moving toward meaningful action.
I have extensive experience using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify, challenge, and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and problematic behaviors. I approach CBT as both a structured and collaborative process, working with clients to build insight into the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while teaching them practical skills for change. In practice, I incorporate psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and behavioral strategies such as exposure, activity scheduling, and problem-solving skills. I often use thought records and other structured tools to help clients recognize automatic thoughts, test their accuracy, and replace them with more balanced perspectives. At the same time, I encourage clients to experiment with new behaviors outside of sessions so that they can experience progress firsthand.
I incorporate a strengths-based approach into my clinical work to help clients recognize and build upon their inherent capabilities, resilience, and resources. My experience has shown that when clients shift focus from what is “wrong” to what is already strong, they begin to develop a greater sense of empowerment and possibility. In practice, I work collaboratively with clients to identify personal strengths, past successes, and coping strategies that have carried them through difficult times. I integrate these discoveries into treatment planning and goal setting, ensuring that therapy emphasizes growth and possibility rather than pathology alone. I use affirmations, reflective questioning, and narrative techniques to highlight clients’ resilience and to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth.
I have extensive experience utilizing Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help clients identify practical solutions and create meaningful change in a time-efficient manner. My approach emphasizes building on clients’ existing strengths, resources, and successes rather than focusing exclusively on problems or deficits. In practice, I use goal-oriented questions, scaling techniques, and the “miracle question” to guide clients toward clarity about what they want their lives to look like. I collaborate with clients to identify exceptions—times when the problem is less intense or absent—and explore how these moments can be replicated and expanded. This empowers clients to see that they already possess many of the tools needed for progress. I approach SFBT with a balance of optimism and pragmatism, helping clients define achievable steps that align with their values and priorities. By emphasizing small, actionable changes, clients often experience an increased sense of hope, motivation, and momentum early in treatment. What I value most about SFBT is its efficiency and adaptability. It provides a structured, strengths-driven framework that can be applied across diverse populations and settings, whether as a standalone model or integrated with approaches like CBT, ACT, or Motivational Interviewing.