Kelly Birkhold, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Change- they say it is one of the only constants in life. To that statement, I would add that it is often so scary, challenging, and painful! We cling to what we know, which can make even positive changes feel overwhelming. Sometimes this leads to us avoiding change to stay “safe,” which can also be very stifling, unsatisfying, and at worst, dangerous.

My approach to therapy is to help you process the many changes that life has required of you in the past and is requiring of you now and in the future. I hope to help you walk the line between accepting what we must, but also making a positive impact in the changes that we can find some level of control in.

In therapy, I like to look at who you are and have been throughout your lifetime, from childhood until the present, to help us better learn to understand your belief systems about yourself, others, and the world around you that may contribute to unhealthy patterns that keep you stuck.

Increasing the awareness of these will allow us to build towards your personal goals and values, developing new direction, ways of thinking, and abilities to be in the world in a way that enables you to feel success and happiness. You deserve this and more!

Background

I received a unique dual master’s degree in both social work and marriage and family therapy from the University of Louisville. From there, I was selected to join the prestigious post-graduate psychodynamic fellowship at The Menninger Clinic and was hired on thereafter as a staff clinician specializing in family/couples therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy leading Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Self Compassion. In total, I have been practicing for 9 years in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.

Approaches that I utilize heavily in therapy include a psychodynamic approach looking at our early childhood experiences and how they impact the defense profile that may now be limiting us, especially in our relationships with others and ourselves.

I also utilize person-centered, relational, narrative, and emotionally-focused approaches to help clients through their therapeutic process. Additional modalities that I incorporate include DBT skills training and Self Compassion throughout sessions when applicable.

My extensive license-level training in marriage and family therapy also makes me well equipped to work with families or couples (marital or pre-marital) facing family conflict or other difficulties related to communication, intimacy, infidelity, divorce, etc.