Kelly Smith
Life can be hard. Sometimes we can feel like we are falling into the same old patterns and asking ourselves the same unhelpful questions. This can be difficult because we often get stuck here rather than finding the growth and progress that we desire.
I want to be present with you as we work to examine the various stuck points within your life, the context of your trauma, and how we can change the narrative of that experience.
As a therapist, my hope is to help you better understand this feeling of "stuckness” the various things which lead us to this space. I like to understand generational traumas through the lens of attachment theory and help clients find a sense of empowerment in breaking cycles and establishing healthier ways to interact with themselves and others. want to work with clients on addressing this in session to help them feel more in control of themselves and break away from that endless cycle that we can find ourselves in. This can be hard to do because it requires looking at things that are scary and unknown, but as your therapist
First session
I really believe that the first session is just about us getting to know each other. The most fundamental thing about doing therapy is our connection. If we don't have a connection, the therapy itself will struggle. While I know I need to collect information and ask you questions because that is what an intake is; I also use that time to see if we can work together as well.
Strengths
My biggest strength lies in my ability to connect with my clients by modeling a safe and secure connection. Additionally, I attempt to hold my clients accountable to therapy and their personal goals.
Ideal clients
Young adults-adults. Clients struggling with interpersonal/relationship issues Generational trauma Complex PTSD
Treatment methods
Attachment-based
I believe in approaching people from an attachment based perspective to help structure the way in which we engage with depression, anxiety, trauma etc. My firm belief is that many people who struggle with their mental health have struggled with attachment. I work to help people identify their attachment styles alongside their protest behaviors so that they can find ways to engage in healthy co-regulation with others.
EMDR
I have been trained in EMDR for over a year now. I believe that this model of treatment is very effective in working with clients who have struggled with all forms of trauma. I use the traditional model of EMDR and appropriately change it to fit the needs of my clients.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I love the emotion regulation piece of DBT to help clients gain and strengthen their resources so that we can do the harder work around trauma and attachment based work
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I have loved the model of EFT and using Susan Johnson's approach in helping people to engage in their emotions has been helpful in helping me to teach clients to hold their emotions
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Licensed in
- KentuckyLicense 272517