Kelli D McLean
Kelli D McLean
(she/her)
I’m a relational therapist who believes that healing happens in the context of a safe, attuned relationship—one where you don’t have to perform, explain yourself constantly, or hide the messy parts. I work with people navigating anxiety, life transitions, identity exploration, and the lingering impact of childhood dynamics. I especially enjoy supporting LGBTQ+ folks, adult children of trauma, and those who’ve always felt a little “different” in the world. In therapy, I offer a space where you can slow down, be real, and start to hear your own voice more clearly. Together, we’ll make sense of the patterns that no longer serve you and explore new ways of relating—to others, to your body, and to yourself.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and exploring what brings you to therapy. I’ll ask some thoughtful intake questions about your current concerns, personal history, and what you hope to gain from our work together. It’s a chance for us to talk about the therapy process, answer any questions you may have, and begin building a foundation of trust and collaboration. My goal is to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and attuned to your unique needs—where you can start to feel seen and understood from the very beginning.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What stands out about my therapeutic approach is my ability to attune deeply to each client—I bring warmth, presence, and often a sense of humor to our work, which helps create a space where you can feel safe enough to be real. I believe that the relationship you have with your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy, and I work intentionally to build trust and connection from the start. My approach blends insight-oriented, psychodynamic therapy—helping you explore unconscious patterns and early relational dynamics—with practical tools from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to support emotional regulation and day-to-day coping. I hold space for nuance, contradiction, and complexity, while helping you reconnect with your inner wisdom and move toward more grounded, authentic ways of living. Clients often tell me they feel genuinely seen and understood in our sessions, and that they begin to notice lasting shifts not only in how they think and feel—but also in how they relate to others and show up in their lives.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I’m best suited to work with clients who are curious about themselves and open to exploring the deeper layers of their thoughts, emotions, and relational patterns. Many of the people I work with are navigating anxiety, life transitions, identity development, or the long-term effects of growing up in emotionally complex families. I especially enjoy working with LGBTQ+ individuals, women and femmes, neurodivergent folks, and transitional-aged adults (18–24) who are seeking a greater sense of clarity, self-trust, and direction. Whether you’re feeling stuck in old dynamics, wanting to unlearn people-pleasing, or simply craving a space to be seen and supported as your full self, therapy with me is collaborative, affirming, and grounded in insight and growth.
About Kelli D McLean
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Relational
At the heart of my work is a relational approach—meaning our therapeutic relationship itself becomes a space for healing. I believe that many of our wounds occur in relationship, and they can also be healed in relationship. Together, we’ll explore how your past experiences show up in the present, especially in the ways you connect with others (and yourself). I’ll bring curiosity, compassion, and realness to our work, helping you notice patterns, deepen self-understanding, and begin to build more authentic, connected relationships—with others and with yourself.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
At the core of my work is a person-centered philosophy: I trust that you already carry the insight and capacity for growth within you. My role is to offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can reconnect with your inner voice, explore your experience honestly, and feel truly heard. I’ll meet you with empathy, curiosity, and unconditional positive regard—not to “fix” you, but to walk alongside you as you make sense of your story and step into more self-trust and wholeness. This approach honors your autonomy and centers your lived experience as valid and meaningful.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
While my approach is primarily relational and person-centered, I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) when it’s helpful to build practical tools for managing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or unhelpful behavior patterns. Together, we might look at how certain thought loops are impacting your emotions and choices—and explore more supportive ways of thinking and responding. I use CBT flexibly and collaboratively, always tailoring it to your unique needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.
Trauma Informed Care
I approach therapy through a trauma-informed lens, which means I prioritize emotional safety, choice, and empowerment in every session. I recognize that trauma—whether acute, developmental, or systemic—can shape how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world. I move at your pace, with deep respect for your nervous system and survival strategies. Rather than pathologizing your responses, we work together to understand them with compassion, and gently begin to build trust, self-regulation, and a greater sense of agency. Healing is not about pushing through, but about feeling supported enough to come home to yourself.
Attachment-based
I draw from attachment-based therapy to help make sense of how early relationships and caregiving experiences shape the way we connect, cope, and seek closeness today. Together, we’ll explore the patterns—often rooted in survival—that show up in your relationships with others and with yourself. This work can be especially powerful if you’ve struggled with trust, fear of abandonment, or feeling “too much” or “not enough.” In a safe, consistent space, we’ll begin to rewire some of those core relational wounds by creating new experiences of being seen, valued, and supported—without having to earn it.