The practice springs forward
Workplace related therapy
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. I find it incredibly rewarding to work with clients to show up more authentically in their life and see their strengths shine.
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. I do not take lightly the opportunity I have to build a more humane world as a therapist.
If you’re not familiar with my professional history, I worked in tech advertising and communications for over a decade in Atlanta, Chicago, and Seattle. 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. I faced my own reckoning if continuing to lead agency teams was the right place for me, and I made my choice to leave for counseling. Making a career pivot isn’t the answer for everyone, but it does provide me a unique perspective as a counselor for my clients now.
Life transitions therapy
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. I thank my clients who have granted me the opportunity to be a part of their life transitions and growth.
Cancer survivorship therapy
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. I would be honored to be be a resource to help in making meaning and continuing onwards.
Necessary changes to meet client needs
To more equitably meet those facing the financial burdens after cancer treatment, I joined Shelterwood Collective. This is a collective for independent practices to share resources in the spirit of providing more accessible and sustainable treatment to the community. The greatest benefit to clients is I will now be accepting Premera and LifeWise insurances.
I will still provide superbills and provide out of network coverage for clients opting to go in this direction. I also provide a limited number of income based sessions through OpenPath. I very much see this as providing greater options for accessing care, especially as I hear anxiety regarding financial strain.
Gratitude for community
As I’ve been reflecting on where Kelly Hemphill Counseling, PLLC has been and will continue to grow, I would be remiss to not say thank you to everyone along the way. As I continue to move from a scarcity mindset, I have worked hard to expand my community and perspectives to grow as a human and clinician.
Thank you to my grad school cohort for being the best encouragement and consult circles for compassionate challenges.
Thank you to cancer survivorship organizations for providing training and community opportunties.
Thank you to the more experienced folks in the community for sharing their wisdom through 1:1 interactions and trainings.
Thank you to those using social platforms to share differing perspectives and resources.
Thank you to the brave folks who pursue therapy with myself or others, because they know their experience matters and they are worth investing in.
What’s next
A final thank you to those who made it this far in this post. :) Please do reach out if you are interested in the counseling services I provide or are a care provider looking to expand your network. We’re stronger together!
