Licensed to practice in California and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Trauma and PTSD, Life Transitions, Self Esteem and 6 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Hello! I'm Kelsey, and I'm so glad you're here. Taking the first step toward therapy isn't always easy. Often, the very challenges that bring us to therapy—stress, burnout, overwhelm, anxiety, or feeling like you've lost your "spark"—can also make it difficult to reach out for support. My goal is to create a space where you can show up exactly as you are. I believe therapy is most effective when it's collaborative, individualized, and grounded in genuine connection. Using a compassionate, person-centered approach, I'll help you deepen your understanding of yourself while building on your existing strengths.
Our first session will feel welcoming and casual, and I’ll focus on creating space to build trust and safety. I’ll take it at your pace, honoring as much or as little as you’d like to share. It’s helpful for me to understand what has brought you to therapy, what you’d like to focus on, and what you’d like to see change.
I integrate mind-body practices with EMDR and trauma-informed care to help regulate the nervous system, process experiences at a pace that feels safe, and explore how the past may be shaping the present. I have 6 years of specialized experience working with teens and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, family dynamics, and histories of trauma and attachment disruptions. I'm eager to help you find new approaches to managing and resolving trauma and stress responses in ways that feel aligned with who you are. Together, we'll work toward greater clarity, resilience, and a more grounded, fulfilling sense of self.
I enjoy working with individuals who are at a turning point in their life, feeling stuck, or are unsure of what steps to take next. I am especially drawn toward supporting women who are looking for support in finding their voice, defining their identity, and regulating their nervous system. I’m eager to help you get to know yourself on a deeper level and understand how past experiences may be shaping your present. Whether it is anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress that has brought you to therapy, I hope to work alongside you toward finding a greater sense of ease and alignment with your best self.
I center relationships in our work together, including our therapeutic relationship, your relationship with yourself, early childhood experiences, and the ways you interact and show up with others in your life. I aim to create a safe and nurturing environment in our sessions where you can get to know yourself in deeper ways, and explore how your relationship patterns play a role in your main challenges or stressors.
I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which is an evidence-based treatment for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and more. EMDR uses side-to-side eye movements and/or tapping to help you stay grounded in the present while your brain works to process and store old memories in new ways. We'll go one memory at a time to help you feel less "stuck" in the past, find new perspectives, and connect with more positive beliefs about yourself.
"Feelings" have their name for a reason - we "feel" emotions directly in our bodies, and our bodies are smarter than we often give them credit for. When we learn to pay attention to the signs (a racing heart, tightness in our chest or shoulders, an upset stomach, etc), we can develop a greater sense of compassion for ourselves and a deeper understanding of what makes us tick. We'll use breathwork, mindfulness, grounding exercises, and other tools to tune into our emotional bodies and help move those feelings through, rather than allowing them to stay stuck.
Our brains change in amazing ways after experiencing trauma or intense stress. Various parts of our brains change in size and function, which is what leads to symptoms like feeling on edge or always on the lookout for danger, struggling to manage big emotions, being more easily triggered or overwhelmed, and feeling stuck in the past. I am always keeping this in mind and aim to help my clients have more compassion for themselves and their brains. Having a trauma-informed approach means that I understand your brain is doing its best to protect you and keep you safe – and that we need to move at a pace that continues to feel safe while you re-process memories and experiences. We’ll work together to help your brain and body heal and allow you to feel more present and grounded.