LCSW, 8 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, I am Joe Kephart, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker based in Lexington, Kentucky. I bring over 20 years of leadership experience and a strong background in mental health, social work, and supportive care. I’ve worked in private practice and healthcare settings, providing psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, and integrated care. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Kentucky, and I’m passionate about helping people navigate life’s challenges with compassion, collaboration, and practical support. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and supported — especially in the moments when life feels overwhelming, complicated, or painful. I specialize in helping adults navigate grief, childhood sexual abuse/trauma, and identity with compassion and clarity. My practice is grounded in creating a safe, judgment-free space where you can explore difficult emotions, reclaim your voice, and begin to heal. I blend evidence-based practices such as trauma-informed CBT, mindfulness, and narrative therapy with a relational, person-centered approach. You’ll find me warm, honest, and direct — someone who will walk alongside you with both empathy and accountability. Healing is hard work, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re ready to begin or continue your journey, I’m here to help.
In our first session, I focus on creating a welcoming, judgment-free space where you can feel safe to share your story at your own pace. We'll begin by exploring what brings you to therapy, the challenges you're facing, and what goals you hope to achieve. I take a collaborative, solution-focused approach—working with you to understand your needs and identify meaningful options for moving forward. This session is about building trust, gaining clarity, and laying the foundation for a supportive therapeutic relationship.
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is the way I integrate evidence-based methods with deep compassion and cultural sensitivity to meet clients exactly where they are. I offer a trauma-informed, affirming space that supports meaningful healing for those navigating complex grief, identity exploration, or the long-term effects of childhood abuse and substance use. My ability to blend structure and flexibility—drawing from CBT, DBT, and Person-Centered approaches—helps clients not only feel understood, but also empowered to make lasting change. The clients I work with often report feeling more grounded, seen, and supported
I am best positioned to serve individuals who are navigating grief, healing from childhood sexual abuse, exploring their LGBTQ+ identity, or working through challenges related to substance use. My clients are often seeking a safe, affirming space where they can process complex emotions, rebuild trust in themselves, and find meaning in their experiences. Whether they are ready to confront deep-rooted trauma or simply looking to feel more grounded and empowered, I meet each person with compassion, respect, and a commitment to supporting their unique journey toward healing and growth.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and problematic behaviors. Through structured, goal-oriented sessions, clients learn practical coping strategies to manage anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. I tailor CBT interventions to each individual’s needs, empowering them to build insight, resilience, and healthier ways of thinking and responding to life’s challenges.
I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support clients in building emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness skills. DBT is especially helpful for individuals struggling with intense emotions, self-harming behaviors, or relational instability. I create a validating and structured environment where clients can learn to balance acceptance with change, helping them move toward greater emotional stability and self-awareness.
I use grief therapy to support clients as they navigate the complex emotions of loss—not just from death, but also from life transitions, trauma, or disrupted relationships. I create a safe, compassionate space where clients can process their grief at their own pace, explore the meaning of their loss, and reconnect with a sense of purpose. My approach integrates narrative work, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care to help individuals honor their loss while finding a path forward.
I provide gender-affirming therapy to support clients in exploring and embracing their gender identity in a safe, respectful, and nonjudgmental space. I honor each individual’s lived experience, offering validation, guidance, and advocacy throughout their personal journey. Whether addressing identity exploration, social or medical transitions, or navigating systemic challenges, my approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and rooted in affirming care that empowers clients to live authentically.
I use Person-Centered Therapy to create a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel truly seen and heard. I trust in each individual’s innate capacity for growth and healing, offering unconditional positive regard and genuine presence to support their self-exploration. By fostering a collaborative and empowering therapeutic relationship, I help clients connect with their authentic selves and make meaningful choices aligned with their values.