Kerrie Pelan

If you've been putting off therapy because you weren't sure it would actually help, or because you weren't sure you were "struggling enough" to need it, you're not alone. That's often exactly what brings people to work with me. I'm Kerrie, an LCSW with six years of experience helping children, teenagers, adults, and older adults work through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addiction recovery, ADHD, and major life transitions. I trained at Stony Brook University with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and I've built real clinical range over the years - from couples work to substance use treatment to supporting teens who've been involved in the justice system. My goal is never to fit you into a one-size method. It's to figure out what will actually work for you.

CBT is my foundation - it's evidence-based, practical, and it works. But I don't apply it rigidly. Depending on what a client is navigating, I draw from narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, relational approaches, and play therapy for younger clients. What this means practically: we'll work together to understand the patterns behind what's going wrong, build skills you can actually use, and move at a pace that doesn't feel forced. I've worked with people from all kinds of backgrounds - economically, culturally, and clinically - and I bring that breadth to every session. Whether it's a first time in therapy or a return after years away, I'll meet you where you are.

Our first session will focus on getting to know one another. The first session isn't a test, and there's no pressure to have everything figured out before you walk in. I'll ask some questions about what's been going on and what brought you to therapy right now. You'll have space to share whatever feels relevant, and I'll be honest with you about how I think I can help. By the end, you'll have a sense of who I am, and we'll have a starting point to build from together. Most people leave feeling relieved that they finally did it.