Hi! I am a LCSW based in Connecticut. I received my Masters of Social Work from Temple University in 2018, and I have been practicing for 5+ years. My experience began with community mental health and outpatient methadone maintenance programs in Philadelphia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I returned home to Connecticut to serve the community I grew up in. I work with primarily teenagers and adults with mental health and substance use disorders to improve overall well-being.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session together, we will begin with brief introductions, reviewing the intake assessment forms and answering any questions you may have regarding starting therapy. I will go over the treatment modalities I most often use in sessions and we will move onto the BioPsychoSocial, which is an in-depth assessment to better understand biological, psychological and social factors impacting your mental health.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
As a provider, I pride myself in my ability to build a strong therapeutic relationship. Therapeutic rapport starts with empathy, authenticity, respect, and active listening. I use humor in my practice as appropriate, and I have witnessed humor associated with positive outcomes in individual therapy. I believe in cultural awareness, not competence - meaning I know that I will never be fully competent in someone else’s culture, and I can only strive to be aware and inclusive.
About Kim Bell
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Therapy has been at the core of my practice for 5+ years. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a collaborative approach to changing your negative thoughts (cognitions) and your actions (behaviors). My goal is to help you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. I work with you to develop lifelong coping skills, enabling you to manage stress and overcome obstacles even after therapy concludes.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I began utilizing Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in individual and group psychotherapy sessions roughly 4 years ago. DBT is a modified type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. DBT focuses on helping you accept the reality of your life, as well as helping you learn to change your life (yes, both can be true!). Its main goals are to teach you how to live in the moment, develop healthy ways to cope with stress, regulate your emotions, and improve your relationships with others. Together we work to understand and accept difficult feelings.
Motivational Interviewing
Having mixed feelings about change? That is ok! I utilize this client-centered approach to help you find the motivation to make positive behavioral changes. My goal is to understand your motivations, listen with empathy, and provide the space for you to feel empowered.
Trauma Informed Care
As a clinician, I have experience in recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients. I have awareness of the widespread impact of trauma and actively work on paths for recovery with clients through understanding your life experiences. I pride myself in creating a safe and inclusive environment to promote health and recovery.
