Kelly Walsh, LISW-S, MSW

Hello, I am Kelly Walsh. I have a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology from the University of Evansville and Master of Social Work from the University of Kentucky. I have specialized training in trauma treatment, but I am also conversant in the treatment of depression, anxiety, mood disorders, dissociative disorders, personality disorders, attachment issues, and relationship issues.
My treatment approach is to create a culture of safety and trust. Some people call this the therapeutic relationship. I believe in a concept created by Carl Rogers, a pioneer in psychotherapy, called "unconditional positive regard". Simply put, that means that regardless of what the client says in treatment, my job as the therapist is to respond to the client with respect, reverence, and kindness. This relational model allows the client to feel safe enough to do the work such as sharing and processing feelings, to achieve the goals they have chosen.
I have known from very early in my career that I wanted to practice psychotherapy. I also knew that I wanted to practice client-centered therapy which is basically just what is sounds like. I allow the client to guide the process and support them in their own path to feeling better. Further, I believe that there is a solution to every problem. I will build upon existing strengths and use an open approach to healing. For example, some people find humor effective in therapy. Others find story telling, music, and reminiscence to be helpful. We are not bound to conventional forms of treatment. I like to approach therapy individually, there is no one-size-fits-all, in my experience. And my experience is based not just on what I know or have learned from school, but also in my experience as human being. I have had lots of other roles in my life, like mother, daughter, partner,co-parent, to name some. I am proud of my teachings from life as well as the fact that my career turns 30 this year. I hope my experiences as a clinician and as a person can benefit you through therapy.
I invite the client to give feedback to me, so that I am aware of what is effective and what is not. It helps me as therapist to know what to eliminate if it isn't working.
I serve all populations with kindness and respect. My role in the queer community is that of ally.
Finally, Id like the reader of this profile to know that I have chosen this profession because I love it. I am privileged and humbled to be able to help in the way that I do. I feel rooted, connected, fulfilled when I am providing my kind of help. I look forward to getting to know you and sharing in your movement from where you are now to where you would like to be.