Kimberly Massey, LCSW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Kimberly Massey

Kimberly Massey

(She/Her)

LCSW
12 years of experience
Virtual

Hi! I'm Kimberly Massey, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. I received my Masters in Social Work from New York University and have been practicing for over 10 years. I specialize in helping individuals overcome trauma, anxiety, and depression to become the best version of themselves and improve their overall quality of life. I also enjoy working couples and families struggling with conflict or relationship difficulties build stronger connections, improve communication, and create healthier relationship dynamics.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session, you can expect a warm and collaborative environment. We'll explore your unique strengths and challenges, and together, we'll develop a plan to help you achieve your goals. I'm here to support you every step of the way. I'm genuinely enthusiastic about the possibility of working with you and witnessing your growth!

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I bring a unique blend of creativity and practical problem-solving skills to my therapeutic approach. I believe in the power of a positive mindset and strive to instill hope and optimism in my clients. A core focus of my work is ensuring that each client leaves our sessions feeling better equipped and more empowered than when they arrived. I'm passionate about making therapy an engaging and even enjoyable experience, weaving in moments of laughter and fun where appropriate, while still holding space for the important and sometimes difficult work of healing. Furthermore, I emphasize a preventive approach, empowering clients with the tools and strategies they need to maintain their well-being and prevent future challenges.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I am passionate about working with individuals and couples who are ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. My ideal clients are those who are experiencing the impact of trauma, anxiety, or depression, and are seeking support in developing coping skills and building resilience. I particularly enjoy helping couples motivated to learn healthy relationship skills, strengthen their relationship. The ideal couple would have some ability to communicate, but want to deepen or rekindle their connection, improve intimacy, or improve their communication or conflict resolution skills. I find it rewarding to work with families who are motivated to improve their dynamics, whether it be through learning more effective communication skills, strengthening family connections and understanding, or developing more positive and effective parenting strategies. My ideal clients may feel stuck and stagnated in how to resolve their problems, but are motivated to make positive changes in their lives and are open to exploring new perspectives and strategies for growth.

About Kimberly Massey

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Trauma-Focused CBT

Many people are unaware of how negative life experiences have altered their perceptions of themselves, others and the world, causing emotional trauma. For this reason, I integrate Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in my treatment approach to create a safe and supportive therapeutic space where clients can gradually process conscious and/or unconscious traumatic experiences. By exploring and identifying distorted beliefs, my clients are able to alter negative emotional responses by changing distressing thought patterns. I help clients develop coping skills to manage distressing emotions and physical sensations. I incorporate mindfulness practices, to help clients reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and increase emotion-regulation. I empower clients to confront and overcome the impact of trauma, no matter how small, fostering a sense of mastery and resilience.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

In my practice, I utilize Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop psychological flexibility and live more fulfilling lives. I guide them in identifying their core values and using those values as a compass to direct their actions. We work on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings without struggling against them, recognizing that these experiences are a normal part of being human. Through mindfulness exercises and diffusion techniques, I help clients create space between themselves and their thoughts, so they can observe them without being controlled by them. I empowers m clients to commit to actions aligned with their values, even in the face of discomfort, allowing them to build a richer and more meaningful life.

Motivational Interviewing

I find Motivational Interviewing (MI) to be a powerful way to help my clients explore their own ambivalence about change. Using MI, I create a collaborative partnership where we work together to identify their goals and examine any discrepancies between where they are now and where they'd like to be. I incorporate a strengths-based approach within MI, helping clients recognize and build upon their existing resources and past successes to fuel their motivation for future growth. My goal is to empower my clients to discover their own reasons for making positive changes and to strengthen their commitment to those changes, ultimately fostering their self-efficacy and long-term success.

Couples Counseling

In my work with couples, I strive to create a safe and neutral space where both partners feel heard and understood. I help couples identify and address unhealthy communication patterns, explore underlying relationship dynamics, and develop more constructive ways of interacting. I often utilize techniques from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help couples understand and express their emotional needs, fostering greater empathy and connection. I also assist couples in navigating conflict more effectively, teaching them skills in communication, negotiation, and problem-solving. My goal is to empower couples to build stronger, more fulfilling relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and intimacy.

Family Therapy

In family therapy, I work with families as a unit, recognizing that each member plays a vital role in the family system. I help families identify and address patterns of interaction that may be contributing to conflict or dysfunction. I often use a systemic approach, exploring family dynamics, communication styles, and individual roles within the family. My goal is to facilitate open communication, improve understanding, and enhance problem-solving skills within the family. I work collaboratively with family members to establish shared goals for therapy and empower them to create positive changes in their relationships and family functioning. I strive to create a supportive environment where each family member feels comfortable sharing their perspective and working towards a healthier family dynamic.