LCSW, 19 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, I'm Dr. Kimberly Yazell, PhD, LCSW, LCAC. As the wife of a combat veteran and the mother to our blended family of five young adults, I understand the complexities and joys of family life. Born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, I embarked on my educational journey at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in General Studies Behavioral Sciences in 2001. I continued my studies at Indiana University School of Social Work, receiving my Master of Social Work degree in 2006, and later achieved my PhD in Addictions Psychology from Capella University in 2022. Since 2006, I have dedicated myself to working as a therapist, specializing in areas such as depression, anxiety, trauma, combat trauma, family issues, military family issues, LGBTQIA2S+ support, and addiction issues. My experience spans both adolescent and adult populations, allowing me to connect with a diverse range of clients. Family is incredibly important to me. As a parent to LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, I understand firsthand the importance of acceptance and love. My husband and I have always embraced our children, and this strong familial bond is something I strive to help other families achieve. Building a foundation of trust, communication, and love is at the heart of my therapeutic work.
Clients often express feeling nervous before their first session. I try my very best to create an environment to help all clients feel safe and comfortable. It takes a lot of courage to really dive into one's issues. I respect that courage. Our first session is all about getting to know my clients which means answering a variety of questions. By the end of the session, each client will have new insights and a few new tools to begin their healing journey.
I really love my job! After nearly 20 years in practice, I have met and helped so many wonderful clients. I put an emphasis on getting to know each person. It is important to me that clients feel comfortable talking about the real issues without the fear of judgment. I used evidenced based modalities because these are proven to bring results for my clients!
My approach to therapy is straightforward and client-centered. I believe in creating a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment where clients feel heard and valued. Building a strong therapeutic relationship is essential to the success of our work together. I utilize evidence-based practices to ensure that our sessions are structured and that clients leave with practical skills they can apply in their daily lives. My ultimate goal is to help all clients resolve the issues that brought them to therapy and to support long term change. My ideal client would be someone who is okay with this approach.
CBT is the basis for many of the evidence-based approaches I use in therapy. It allows the client to learn how to identify and change the destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on their behavior and emotions.
CPT is a wonderful model for the treatment of trauma. It focuses on the stuck points of an event and allows the client to heal their trauma step by step.
DBT utilizes a series of activities including mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills to help individuals manage emotions, improve relationships, and reduce self-destructive behaviors. DBT emphasizes the balance between acceptance and change. It incorporates
Person-centered approach is a therapeutic and support methodology that emphasizes the individual's perspective, autonomy, and unique experiences, fostering an environment for self-discovery and personal growth.
Motivational interviewing is a counseling method that helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behavior.