Kelly Thompson

(she/her)

LCSW, 20 years of experience
Warm
Authentic
Intelligent

Hi! My name is Kelly and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving clients in California exclusively via telehealth. If life feels heavy, you're carrying the weight of sadness and worry, or burdened by past experiences, I am here to help. I want you to know that you are not alone and that healing from depression, anxiety, grief and trauma is possible. I will support you in finding calm, clarity, and the confidence to live the life you want. I create a safe, supportive place for you to explore your experiences, build trust in yourself, and live with greater peace and purpose. I believe healing happens within safe and trusting relationships, where you feel seen, understood and empowered to grow. Drawing on both my clinical training and my own life experiences, I bring a grounded, compassionate approach to therapy. Taking the step to start therapy takes a lot of courage and I am here to support you along the way.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In the first session, we will focus on why you are seeking therapy and what you hope to get out of it. I always tell clients that I feel honored to hear their personal story and collaborate with them on their goals. You can expect to feel a genuine interest from me that is non-judgmental. As we get to know each other we will start mapping out a plan for our work together. I encourage you to ask me any questions you have during the process.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I have always been someone who people seek out and open up to when they feel overwhelmed. This inspired me to pursue education in psychology and clinical social work. I have spent the last 20 years working as a therapist serving children, teens, adults, and families. Additionally, my experience as a mom has greatly informed my work as a therapist. I have experienced life struggles, losses, and transitions at different times in my life. The combination of my life experiences and clinical background allows me to meet my clients where they are at, helping them take steps towards meaningful changes in their lives. My communication style is empathetic, authentic, and non-judgmental. My clients often describe me as warm and easy to talk to. I encourage my clients to ask any questions they have about me or my practice so that they can feel as comfortable as possible.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I am highly trained in treating anxiety and depression and I have a passion for grief and trauma work. I work with individuals ages 16 and up who are comfortable with telehealth services. My approach is trauma informed, client centered, and compassionate. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness practices to help clients heal through awareness, acceptance, and intentional action. Starting therapy takes strength and courage. Are you ready for change? Schedule a session today and take the next step toward living with greater peace and purpose. Please note that at this time, I am not serving individuals under the age of 16.

Specialties

Top specialties

Grief

Trauma and PTSD

Other specialties

ADHD

Anxiety

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help my clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT supports clients in identifying unhelpful thinking patterns, challenging self-defeating beliefs, and building healthy coping strategies. I guide clients in exploring how their thoughts may be impacting their mood and choices - and making intentional shifts in their thinking and behavior can lead to meaningful growth. CBT is especially effective for managing symptoms of anxiety and depression and I strive to create a space where my clients feel empowered to challenge unhelpful patterns, build resilience, and take practical steps toward the life they want to live.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

I use mindfulness based strategies to support my clients with increased awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment to help them be grounded and connected to themselves and world around them. Mindfulness helps us observe our thoughts and emotions without judgement, creating space to respond more intentionally rather than be reactive. I use mindfulness based practices to help my clients build greater awareness of how stress, anxiety, and other emotions show up in the mind and body. These skills are helpful tools for managing when feeling overwhelmed, reducing reactivity, and increasing self-compassion.

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

I integrate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my work to help my clients move through emotional pain and discomfort while creating a life that feels more meaningful and aligned with who they truly are. I use ACT interventions to help my clients learn to relate differently to difficult emotions and experiences- not by trying to eliminate them, but by building skills to respond with more openness, compassion, and clarity. My experience with ACT has shown me how powerful this approach can be, particularly for clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life transitions.

, 16 ratings

3 ratings with written reviews

August 13, 2025

Kelly's communication feels gentle and kind. She is very perceptive and has a profound ability to make others comfortable.

Verified client, age 35-44
Review shared after session 1 with Kelly

July 9, 2025

Ms. Kelly is amazing. She gives me skills to practice to help me with my healing process. She's warm, empathetic, and she listens. I feel comfortable talking about my issues with her.

Verified client, age 45-54
Review shared after session 5 with Kelly

April 9, 2025

Kelly seemed to truly listen to me and be present to my needs and concerns. I'm happy she is interested in working with me further.

Verified client, age 25-34
Review shared after session 1 with Kelly