About me
Who I tend to work with
About two years ago I started Kelly Hemphill Counseling, PLLC with a dream to provide therapy to adults navigating transformational life changes. The kind of questioning and wth moments which can shake someone to their core. Often this presents as professionals in their 30s and 40s facing their own reckoning with how their professional life is impacting their general wellness. I hear consistent themes regarding burnout, ever increasing expectations, grief regarding layoffs, and deep hope for greater meaning and ease when it comes to work. In my work we also often explore the beliefs developed growing up regarding shame, connection, and success inside and outside the workplace.
A portion of the work I do is also working with clients to identify and explore how we engage with environments which intentionally or unintentionally cause harm. Think the “isms” like racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and on. How we internalize and externalize these messages can deeply impact the believes we have about each other and ourselves.
As my clients and broader community explores life changes beyond professional identity, I too have grown to explore how other moments of inflection or life transitions can benefit from the support counseling (or therapy) provides. My clients also find themselves facing questions regarding caretaking, expanding their family, illness, or a relocation. Uncertainty is certainly promised to us all.
As I’ve gained more experience with clients navigating life changes, I’ve also grown a deep interest in working with those navigating cancer survivorship. I have quietly been attending trainings and community events related to cancer survivorship for the past few months, and I ready to share more about my upcoming work within this community. One example is the challenge faced by survivors and caretakers when treatment appointments slow down and they have a little more space to begin to feel how substantially their life has changed and will continue to change.
Additional life experience
I worked in tech advertising and communications for over a decade. For a very long time, I thrived on the rush provided with tight deadlines, big personalities, and being creative. I gained lifelong friendships, honed a deep curiosity, honed my leadership style, and challenged myself in countless ways. I also experienced toxic dynamics, absences of boundaries, perfectionism, and deep burnout. Making a career pivot isn’t the answer for everyone, but it does provide me a unique perspective as a counselor for my clients.
Counseling approach
There’s not a single approach to life or counseling, so I work with clients to find what’s most supportive to them. I tend to be strengths based and inquire about the systems or communities my clients operate within. Theories I incorporate include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), narrative, and strengths-based theories. I’ve been described as empathic, genuine, and kind by my peers. I welcome “difficult conversations” and tend towards “everyday speak” vs. “therapy speak.”
I love learning new things and stretching my perspective on what it’s like to be human and in relationship with others. In my free time, I also enjoy reading cookbooks, walking fast, and continuing to discover new delights about my adopted home of Seattle.
Licensure
I am a Licensed Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor (#MC61475758) registered in the state of Washington. I practice under the supervision of Katie Maynard (#LW00007955). I graduated from Seattle University with a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.E.d.). I can be contacted at Kelly@KellyHemphillCounseling.com.
Professional memberships
Selection of completed trainings
Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral
Health Professionals
Unwrapping the Gifts: A Strength-Based Approach to ADHD Across The Life Span
Kinky Sex Ed and Poly 101