Family therapy and counseling in Venice, FL

Hello! Clients often describe me as easy to talk to, down to earth and compassionate. My natural positive energy helps my clients improve their lives by developing better cognitive and emotional skills.

As a therapist for 8 years, I believe anything can be accomplished through the right therapeutic approach. It is not about fitting a client into a mold but creating a mold that fits the client. Through this journey, the client is the artist, sculptor, and visionary that recreates the new and repairs the old.

I believe therapy should be a space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered. My approach combines evidence-based practices with genuine human connection to help clients navigate challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful change. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply seeking greater clarity, I provide a supportive environment where healing and growth can occur.

You are too stressed. You wake up in the morning and wonder if you will have a better day. Things used to be much better, easier to cope. Are you going to make it through the day without the recurring depression and anxiety? Will she (he) get on your nerves again? Will this be another day to feel like a failure or loser?

You must do something to make it better. I have the proven methods to banish anxiety and depression and improve relationships. If this relates to you, you need to talk to me.

• If a time doesn't work on the calendar, please still select a time slot and reach out to me so we can work out a better time.

Before becoming a counselor, I spent many years as an educator in both elementary and special education.

That experience shaped how I connect with people, meeting them where they are, listening deeply, and believing in their potential. I aim to bring that same commitment and compassion into every therapy session.

As a child, I had my share of challenges, but I’ve worked through them and never let them define me. I believe in growth, in strength, and in choosing to create the life you want to live. As a counselor, I strive to help my clients gain the power of self-understanding and realize their unique brilliance.

I strive to support people in becoming more of who they already are, not to change them, but to help them find their path with confidence and clarity. I provide direction while respecting your autonomy, always staying grounded in the belief that you are the expert on your life.

The therapeutic methods I use are informed by evidence-based practices; a strong respect for neurodiversity; and a deep understanding of anxiety, overwhelm, and what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced world. My professional path combines the best of both worlds – mental health and education – to support clients in a practical, informed, and deeply personal way.

I earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education from St. Bonaventure University and Le Moyne College, followed by a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from St. Bonaventure. Through years of teaching, forensics, and private practice, I’ve learned that lasting change starts with understanding, and that’s precisely what I aim to offer every client I work with.

Though Kelsey is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, her initial mental health training was as a psychologist. She completed her PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of North Texas in 2009 with specialties in neuropsychology, pediatrics and eating disorders. She has extensive experience working at all levels of care across the lifespan and developing treatment programs. After a decade of experience as a psychologist, Kelsey was inspired to go back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic seeing the need for integrated medical and psychiatric care. She completed her accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 and followed by her Master of Science in Nursing from St. Thomas University in 2024.

Life can be a lot. Between juggling work, friends and family life, anxiety and sadness can sneak up on you. Therapy isn’t about lying on a couch while someone silently nods, it’s about having a real convo with someone who gets it. Together, we’ll work together out how to quiet the noise, boost your mental health, and build habits that make life feel less like survival mode and more like you actually living it. Life throws curveballs — and when we don’t fully process them, they can sneakily pile up as stress, anxiety, or that heavy feeling you just can’t shake. That’s where therapy comes in.

My mission is simple: create a space where you can express yourself, shake off the weight you’ve been carrying, and explore who you’ve been, who you are, and who you want to become. A safe zone for real talk and growth. EMDR (a way of helping your brain re-file old memories so they don’t keep hitting the panic button), systems theory, person centered theory.

Therapy with me isn’t about lying on a couch in awkward silence. It’s modern, collaborative, sometimes even a little fun — because growth doesn’t always have to feel heavy. I’m open-minded yet structured and here to make the process feel less like a chore and more like a genuine reset.

For insurances I do not accept: Out of network provider: 4 questions to ask insurance representative: Does your plan include "out-of-network" coverage for mental health? What is your annual deductible for mental health benefits? What is your co-insurance? (What percentage does the plan cover?) Is there a limit on sessions?