I have 20 years of experience working with people struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, grief/loss, chronic pain/health conditions, complex trauma, relationship conflicts, and more. I offer an authentic, nonjudgmental space to process emotions, clarify goals, and develop a plan to achieve them. I believe humor is essential to healing, so plan to laugh a bit too! My experiences as both a therapist and personal trainer have shown me how connected our physical and emotional health truly are. Full healing encompasses both areas and for this reason, I view my clients through a holistic lens. I am honored to hold space for you within the therapy relationship, and I congratulate you for taking this step in your journey.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During the first session, we get to know each other, as I get the 'umbrella view' of your life and what is leading you to take this healing step. I ask questions about various areas of your life so that I can understand your wants, needs, and goals. I tell you a bit about me and my approach to counseling, as well as what you can expect moving forward. I want you to feel comfortable with me, my energy, and the orientations I utilize. Therapy is like any other relationship where sometimes people click, and sometimes they don't. While I don't anticipate this would be an issue, if I am not the best person to help you with this work, I will do my best to connect you with someone who may be a better fit. My goal is to create an environment where you feel seen, heard, and safe to enter into more challenging aspects of your life from a healing place. From this initial intake session, I develop a treatment plan that is specific to you. We will review this plan at your second session, and if it aligns with your personal goals, we dive in! If it doesn't, we tweak it to ensure it is capturing what you desire from this experience. The treatment plan holds us both accountable. Therapy is hard work at times, but I promise you....if you are willing to dig in and show up for yourself, then I will be there with you!
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Twenty years as a therapist have shown me that I will always be growing and healing myself. I have a strong understanding of my strengths and weaknesses as a therapist. I am not afraid to tell my client if I don't think I am the best person to serve him or her. My ultimate goal is to help my clients get the assistance they need to improve their lives. If I am not the right guide for you, I will work with you to help you find that therapist. With that said, I am confident in my ability to help my clients. I will work hard for you, as long as you are also working hard for you! While I am a direct person, I do strive to provide a compassionate, safe space to delve into painful emotions and experiences. It is so important to have a safe space where you can begin to challenge your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. However, you are always the one in the driver's seat. I will challenge you at times, but this comes from a place of compassion. I offer a non-judgmental space for you to begin to look at you life with curiosity, not from the lens of harsh self-judgment. I provide education and teach skill building so that you have the tools you need to live life to your fullest capabilities. I do find humor to be a beautiful healing tool, so I do encourage laughter. As we embark on our relationship together, just know that I will be walking beside you along the way. You will never be alone. And we may even have some fun!
About Kelly Lehman
Specializes in
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Couples Counseling
There is no such thing as a perfect relationship. When two people enter into a relationship, there will inevitably be conflict at times. The goal isn't to eliminate conflict rather it is to learn how to communicate differences from a place of mutual understanding and compassion. Much of the work I do with couples is rooted in EFT, IFS, Imago Relational Therapy, and the Gottman Method. Helping couples to understand their own, as well as their partner's wounded parts, while learning new ways to interact can be tremendously helpful in breaking down resentments and the assumptions that are often rooted in them.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I help client understand how their negative thought patterns influence their emotions and behavior. I work with clients to challenge distorted core beliefs about self, others, and the world, so that they can begin to show up differently in their lives.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Understanding and accepting our thoughts and emotions without judgment is key to healing past and present wounds. When we can accept these parts of ourselves without judgment, it allows space to engage in behaviors that align with our true selves, our morals, and our values. I teach the value of acceptance through mindfulness practices.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I help clients to manage their difficult emotions through CBT skills that are combined with mindfulness and a recognition of the balance between acceptance and creating positive change. I teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills, so clients have the tools to view themselves and their interactions from a mindful place without the extreme emotional responses that can exacerbate problems in their lives.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I utilize EFT to help couples recognize the dysfunctional dance that plays out in their relationship. Once couples can understand their role in the conflict in their relationship, they are more likely to work towards positive change.