LCSW, 8 years of experience
Welcome, I'm so happy you're here! I'm Kelsey (she/her), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in California. I received my Masters from Loyola University Chicago and have been practicing for 9 years. I'm trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), CBT for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, and Radically Open DBT for maladaptive overcontrol. I have experience working in the social service field since 2011 within a variety of settings, including intensive treatment foster care, residential foster care for pregnant and parenting adolescents, high school counseling, and a partial hospitalization program for adults with eating disorders. I have worked with individuals, families, couples, and groups, and have treated clients struggling with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, disordered eating, life transitions, and maladaptive emotional overcontrol. In my spare time, I love watching any and all reality TV, frequenting favorite and new coffee shops, traveling the country to visit long-distance friends, spending time with my family in Los Angeles, seeing live theatre and comedy, and (consensually) petting any dog that crosses my path.
In our first session together, we'll start with introductions, then I want to know whatever you'd like to share about the specific challenges and issues that brought you to seek support in therapy.
I use a lot of warmth and humor in my therapeutic work, and I can also intentionally hold validating space for difficult topics and emotions. I am committed to creating a comfortable environment where we can build a trusting relationship to support vulnerability and healing.
My clients struggle with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, disordered eating, life transitions, PTSD, or maladaptive emotional overcontrol, and are seeking healing, balance, self-compassion, freedom, and a fulfilling relationship with self and others.
I have worked for 5+ years in a DBT clinic for adult clients with eating disorders. I utilize DBT to help clients with skills for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and mindfulness. Additionally, I am trained in Radically Open DBT and have utilized that treatment method with clients with eating disorders and anxiety/depression who are more overcontrolled, working toward increased flexibility and openness.
I have used CBT for all of my 8 years of experience. I use CBT to help clients identify thoughts and thought patterns and their connections to feelings and behaviors, and I have seen this awareness lead to significant shifts and changes in emotions and actions.
I have been practicing CPT for 3 years now, working with clients to reduce PTSD symptoms, increase cognitive flexibility, and facilitate healing from traumatic events.
I have used ERP in my work with clients with OCD and ARFID, helping them to reduce obsessions/compulsions and emotional distress, and increase ability to function in their lives to their desired ability.
I have utilized motivational interviewing in my work with youth in the foster care system, high school students within a school counseling setting, and with clients in an eating disorder clinic setting. This method can be effective in meeting clients where they're at, and increasing awareness of their own motivation and helping them set and achieve measurable, realistic, and authentic goals.
3 ratings with written reviews
June 5, 2025
If you're struggling and looking for a therapist you feel comfortable talking to, who listens without judgement, and will help you learn applicable skills to better cope with your anxiety, depression, ED, or whatever maladaptive behaviors you're dealing with, Kelsey Johnson is the best. She's warm, thoughtful, funny and real. Working with Kelsey has been the greatest personal investment I've made in myself and I hope you'll do the same. Wishing you wellness and peace.
June 3, 2025
Wonderful helpful human. I am excited to grow with her.
May 30, 2025
Really wants to get to know you, listens, and easy going.